ARRANGEMENT AND PROCEDURE FOR PROCESSING VALUE DOCUMENTS

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an arrangement and a method for processing valuable documents, e.g. banknotes, checks, vouchers, tickets, etc.

[0002] In various countries, commercial companies are commissioned to handle and implement certain banknote circulation logistics tasks in so-called cash centers. Tasks performed by such cash centers include, for example, invoicing cash balances delivered by customers and preparing and delivering the requested amounts of cash. These cash balances, which are assigned to a specific transaction (customer, ATM, date, etc.), and which can often include coins in addition to banknotes, are commonly referred to as "deposits." The amount of cash assigned to a deposit is usually stored and transported in a transport container, such as a banknote cassette or a safe bag. The deposits to be processed from one or more customers can be picked up by cash-in-transit companies and delivered to the cash center.

[0003] Processing banknotes in the cash center usually begins with manual entry of each deposit. The stack of banknotes in the deposit is then transported to a testing device, which checks each individual banknote for authenticity and condition and sorts the banknotes according to authenticity and condition. The banknotes are counted by the testing device, and the count result is used to settle the deposit, with a credit note being created for the deposit holder. The fully processed banknotes are then placed in a safe in the cash center. At a later time, the banknotes are removed from the safe for packaging, i.e. they are sorted by quantity and type for the desired delivery. For example, they are then wrapped in film on a packaging device for delivery from the cash center.The banknote transport tasks that have to be carried out in a cash center, between preparation, checking, and if necessary, packaging of the banknotes, have so far required a high level of time and personnel expenditure.

[0004] EP 1 268 333 B1 discloses a method and an arrangement for processing value documents with a cyclically circulating transport loop.

[0005] Based on this, it is the object of the present invention to provide an arrangement and a method for processing value documents which can improve the transport tasks of the value documents, e.g. in a cash center.

[0006] This object is achieved by the features of the independent claims. The dependent claims describe preferred embodiments.

[0007] The arrangement for processing value documents has a transport device for value document receptacles, which is designed to transport a plurality of value document receptacles, each of which can accommodate at least one stack of value documents, along a direction of rotation. The transport device according to the invention forms a cyclically circulating transport loop for the value document receptacles. In addition, the arrangement has two or more checking devices connected to the transport device for checking value documents. For each of the checking devices, the arrangement has at least one transport interface. By means of its transport interface, the respective checking device is connected to the transport device in such a way that a stack of value documents located in the cyclically circulating transport loop, if applicable.together with a value document holder that holds the respective at least one value document stack, can be transported via the respective transport interface from the cyclically circulating transport loop to the respective testing device and / or from the respective testing device to the cyclically circulating transport loop. The transport interface of the respective testing device is preferably arranged between the respective testing device and the cyclically circulating transport loop. The value document holder or the value document stack can be transferred, for example, by pushing it over using a sliding element from the testing device to the cyclically circulating transport loop, or vice versa from the cyclically circulating transport loop to the testing device.

[0008] The direction of rotation of the cyclically circulating transport loop is the direction along the cyclically circulating transport loop along which the value document holders are transported in the cyclically circulating transport loop (e.g., clockwise or counterclockwise). The transport device can be configured to be selectively operated along both directions of rotation, so that the value document holders can be transported selectively along a first direction of rotation or along a second direction of rotation opposite to the first. For example, the first transport direction forms a standard direction, and if necessary, the direction is temporarily switched to the opposite second direction of rotation.

[0009] The cyclically circulating transport loop is self-contained in such a way that the value document holders located in the cyclically circulating transport loop (which may each contain one or more stacks of value documents) can traverse the cyclically circulating transport loop several times in the same direction of rotation without reversing their transport direction. As long as the value document holders remain on the transport device, they automatically traverse the cyclically circulating transport loop several times in the same direction of rotation (without reversing their transport direction). As long as the respective value document stack is not removed from one of the transport interfaces (possibly together with its value document holder), it traverses the cyclically circulating transport loop several times in succession with its value document holder and thus passes the respective transport interface of at least one testing device several times.The cyclically rotating transport loop forms a continuous transport loop for the valuable document holders, each of which may contain one or more stacks of valuable documents. The cyclically rotating transport loop allows the valuable document stacks to be exchanged between the cyclically rotating transport loop and the respective verification device, or vice versa, as needed, at a variable time. The cyclically rotating transport loop thus enables flexible delivery of the respective valuable document stack to the respective verification device.

[0010] In particular, the cyclically rotating transport loop can be a transport ring for valuable document holders, which may contain stacks of valuable documents, in particular a self-contained transport ring. The shape of the cyclically rotating transport loop or transport ring is by no means limited. For example, the transport loop or transport ring may have several straight sections and several curves (e.g., 90° curves and / or 180° curves), as well as possibly circular, elliptical, rectangular, or other shaped transport sections.

[0011] The cyclically circulating transport loop allows the processing sequence of the value document stacks to be changed by the at least one checking device connected to the cyclically circulating transport loop (or by one or more further processing devices connected to the cyclically circulating transport loop), e.g. if certain value document stacks are to be processed with a higher priority than other value document stacks. Value document stacks with a lower priority can thus remain temporarily in the cyclically circulating transport loop and only be fed to one of the checking devices or further processing devices during one of the next circuits around the cyclically circulating transport loop. While the value document stacks with a lower priority circulate in the cyclically circulating transport loop, the value document stacks to be processed with a higher priority are fed from the cyclically circulating transport loop to the checking devices orThe stacks of valuable documents are then fed to further processing devices, even if they were fed into the cyclical transport loop later than the lower-priority stacks of valuable documents. The cyclical transport loop thus makes it possible to deviate from the incoming order of the stacks of valuable documents during the inspection or further processing of the stacks of valuable documents, as they are fed into the cyclical transport loop.

[0012] The cyclically circulating transport loop forms a buffer storage for stacks of valuable documents, which is connected to at least one checking device. If two or more checking devices or two or more further processing devices are connected to the cyclically circulating transport loop, the cyclically circulating transport loop forms a common buffer storage for stacks of valuable documents, which can be used for the common feeding or removal of stacks of valuable documents to or from the checking devices / further processing devices. A buffer storage for each individual checking device or for each individual further processing device can then be dispensed with. The common buffer storage allows, for example, that each stack of valuable documents can be fed to any of the checking devices / further processing devices for checking / further processing, i.e. optionally to one or another checking device.one or another further processing device.

[0013] In particular, the transport device comprises a plurality of transport devices arranged in a row, forming a closed loop. The beginning of each subsequent transport device in the row is arranged at the end of the preceding transport device in the row. The transfer of the valuable document holders between the consecutive transport devices preferably takes place automatically, e.g., by pushing the valuable document holder with the aid of the preceding transport device onto the subsequent transport device, which then transports the valuable document holder further.

[0014] According to the invention, the arrangement has at least two testing devices connected to the transport device, which are set up to test value documents, in particular to sort the value documents transported or fed into the value document stack to the respective testing device. To receive the sorted value documents, these testing devices each have, for example, at least two output compartments for tested and sorted value documents. In particular, the at least two testing devices are each set up to test the denomination and / or to test the authenticity and / or to test the condition of the respective value documents. Preferably, the at least two testing devices are set up in the same way to test or sort the value documents, e.g. to test or sort the value documents according to the same test classes or sorting classes.When it comes to sorting the valuable documents, it is not important which of the inspection devices was used to check and sort them.

[0015] The arrangement also comprises a control device configured to cause stacks of valuable documents transported in the transport device to be selectively fed to one or the other of the at least two checking devices, in particular depending on the utilization of one or both of the at least two checking devices. The utilization of the checking devices relates, for example, to the free processing capacity that the respective checking device currently has for checking valuable documents at the respective time and / or, looking ahead, to the free processing capacity of the respective checking device for checking valuable documents expected to exist in the immediately upcoming period. First variant feed loop

[0016] In a first variant of the arrangement according to the invention, the transport interface assigned to the respective checking device is a feed interface or a combined feed and discharge interface designed to feed a (e.g., unchecked) stack of valuable documents, optionally together with a valuable document receptacle accommodating the respective at least one stack of valuable documents, from the cyclically circulating transport loop to the respective checking device. The cyclically circulating transport loop can, for example, form a cyclically circulating feed loop for stacks of valuable documents to the checking devices, from which stacks of valuable documents, optionally together with the valuable document receptacle accommodating the respective at least one stack of valuable documents, can be fed to the respective checking device.In particular, the cyclically circulating transport loop on which the feed interface is located can form a combined cyclically circulating feed and discharge loop.

[0017] Before being processed by a verification device, the valuable documents are typically prepared for the upcoming machine verification at one or more preparation stations. Along the cyclically circulating transport loop (feed loop), for example, there are one or more transport interfaces to preparation stations, through which the preparation stations are connected to the cyclically circulating transport loop. The transport interface of the respective preparation station is configured to feed valuable document stacks (e.g., unchecked valuable document stacks) prepared at the preparation station, which are to be checked by a verification device, to the cyclically circulating transport loop, if necessary together with a valuable document holder holding the respective at least one valuable document stack. Each preparation station can have its own transport interface.Alternatively, two or more preparation stations can be connected to the cyclically circulating transport loop via the same transport interface.

[0018] In some embodiments, the respective transport interface of the respective preparation station is configured to insert a stack of valuable documents into one of the valuable document receptacles located in the cyclically circulating transport loop. For example, the transport interface of the preparation station has a gripper for this purpose, which inserts the respective stack of valuable documents into the valuable document receptacle at a time while this valuable document receptacle is being transported in the cyclically circulating transport loop. Alternatively, the transport interface of the preparation station can also be configured to feed valuable document stacks, together with their valuable document receptacle, to the cyclically circulating transport loop. The (loaded) valuable document receptacles can be fed by a gripper or through an opening in the cyclically circulating transport loop.Alternatively, the feeding of the value document holders loaded with a stack of value documents or the feeding of the value document stacks alone (without value document holder) to the cyclically circulating transport loop can also be carried out manually.

[0019] A self-propelled transport vehicle can also be used to deliver the security document holders loaded with stacks of valuable documents, or the stacks of valuable documents alone (without the security document holder), from the preparation station to the cyclically circulating transport loop. This vehicle can, if necessary, form the transport interface to the cyclically circulating transport loop (and, for example, has the gripper mentioned above). Alternatively, the self-propelled transport vehicle can also transfer the stacks of valuable documents or the security document holders to a transport interface at the preparation station.

[0020] The transport interfaces of the preparation stations and the further processing device to the cyclically circulating transport loop can be constructed analogously to the transport interfaces of the testing device, e.g. have a gripper or a branch and / or junction, which is connected, for example, to a transport switch contained in the cyclically circulating transport loop.

[0021] If two or more verification devices are connected to the cyclically circulating transport loop, the stacks of valuable documents prepared at the preparation station can be distributed among two or more verification devices using the cyclically circulating transport loop (feed loop). This allows multiple deposits to be processed simultaneously on different verification devices and / or the same deposit to be distributed among different verification devices. The cyclically circulating transport loop ensures that each of the valuable document holders, with its at least one valuable document stack, can be fed to any verification device, e.g., depending on which verification device currently has free processing capacity (which is not currently busy verifying valuable documents). This prevents any backlog of valuable document stacks at a particular verification device.

[0022] The cyclically circulating transport loop forms a buffer storage for stacks of valuable documents, which allows the respective checking device to remove a stack of valuable documents, if necessary together with the valuable document receptacle holding the respective at least one stack of valuable documents, from the cyclically circulating transport loop at a variable removal time. The valuable document receptacles can, if necessary, pass the at least one checking device several times in the same direction of rotation. Thus, for each individual valuable document receptacle, there are several possible times at which the respective valuable document receptacle can be removed from the cyclically circulating transport loop via the transport interface in order to reach a checking device. For example, the respective stack of valuable documents can be fed to the respective checking device during the first circulation or only during a later circulation in the cyclically circulating transport loop. Second variant: discharge loop

[0023] In a second variant of the arrangement according to the invention, the transport interface assigned to the respective checking device is a removal interface or a combined supply and removal interface, which is designed to remove a (checked) stack of valuable documents, optionally together with a valuable document receptacle holding the respective at least one stack of valuable documents, from the respective checking device to the cyclically circulating transport loop. After the stack of valuable documents has been removed from the respective valuable document receptacle (by the transport interface or by the checking device), the emptied valuable document receptacle can be transported back from the respective checking device to the cyclically circulating transport loop via the respective removal interface.Alternatively, security document holders loaded with stacks of security documents can also be transported from the respective verification device via the discharge interface to the cyclically circulating transport loop. Along the cyclically circulating discharge loop, there can also be at least one feed interface to at least one other verification device.

[0024] The cyclically circulating transport loop forms, for example, a cyclically circulating removal loop for stacks of valuable documents, into which the stacks of valuable documents, possibly together with the respective valuable document holder that holds at least one stack of valuable documents, can be removed from the respective checking device. In particular, the cyclically circulating transport loop, at which the removal interface is located, can form a combined cyclically circulating feed and removal loop.

[0025] Along the cyclically circulating transport loop (discharge loop), there is at least one transport interface to a further processing device, preferably at least two transport interfaces to at least two further processing devices, via which the respective further processing device is connected to the cyclically circulating transport loop. The transport interface of the respective further processing device is configured to discharge stacks of valuable documents checked by one of the checking devices, optionally together with a valuable document holder that holds the respective at least one stack of valuable documents, from the cyclically circulating transport loop so that the stacks of valuable documents can be transported to the respective further processing device.

[0026] The stacks of valuable documents processed by the further processing device can be removed to another transport device or transported back from the respective further processing device to the same cyclically circulating transport loop through which they were transported to the further processing device. The further processed stacks of valuable documents can be held in a valuable document holder during removal or return transport, or they can be transported without a valuable document holder.

[0027] The further processing device can be designed, for example, for banding and / or packaging stacks of valuable documents. A single stack or multiple stacks of valuable documents can be banded into a common banded packet or packed together in the same packaging. Alternatively, the further processing device can be designed to destroy, e.g., shred, unfit valuable documents. The further processing device can also be designed to package valuable documents, with specific quantities of one or more types of valuable documents being compiled (e.g., for delivery from a cash center). Transport interfaces to several similar and / or several different of the aforementioned further processing devices can be present along the cyclically circulating transport loop (discharge loop).

[0028] The stacks of valuable documents checked at the respective checking device are distributed, for example, between at least two further processing devices using the cyclically circulating transport loop (discharge loop). This allows the checked stacks of valuable documents to be processed simultaneously at different further processing devices. The cyclically circulating transport loop ensures that each of the valuable document receptacles with its checked stack of valuable documents can be optionally fed to any further processing device, e.g., depending on which further processing device currently has free processing capacity (which is not currently processing valuable documents). This prevents any backlog of valuable document stacks at a specific further processing device. Special arrangements

[0029] The preparation stations and / or testing devices and / or further processing devices can be arranged directly adjacent to their respective transport interface, via which they are connected to the cyclically circulating transport loop. However, they can also be arranged remotely from their respective transport interface and connected to it via a corresponding transport device that transports the valuable document stacks, possibly together with the valuable document holder holding the respective at least one valuable document stack, to the transport interface of the respective preparation stations, testing device, or further processing device.

[0030] In particular, the at least one checking device and preparation station are arranged along the cyclically circulating transport loop in such a way that - viewed in the direction of rotation of the value document holders along the cyclically circulating transport loop - after at least one transport interface of a preparation station, the transport interface of a checking device follows as the next transport interface.

[0031] In particular, the checking devices and further processing devices are arranged along the cyclically circulating transport loop in such a way that - viewed in the direction of rotation of the value document holders along the cyclically circulating transport loop - after at least one transport interface of a checking device, the next transport interface is the transport interface of a further processing device. The checking devices and / or preparation stations and / or further processing devices are preferably all arranged outside the cyclically circulating transport loop. This has the advantage that they are then easily accessible, e.g., with regard to manual intervention or maintenance work on the respective device. Alternatively, it may also be advantageous for one or more checking devices to be arranged within the cyclically circulating transport loop, as this enables a more compact arrangement. Alternative route

[0032] In some embodiments, the cyclically circulating transport loop has at least a first transport interface, in particular a branch, to an alternative path for the value document receptacles (in which a value document stack is possibly received). The alternative path branches off from the cyclically circulating transport loop and joins again at another point along the cyclically circulating transport loop. Viewed along the direction of rotation of the cyclically circulating transport loop after the first transport interface, the cyclically circulating transport loop has a second transport interface, in particular a junction, for the value document receptacles from the alternative path. Instead of a branch and junction, the first and / or the second transport interface to the alternative path can also be formed by a gripper which grips the value document stacks, if applicable.together with the value document holder holding the stack of value documents, between the cyclically circulating transport loop and the alternative route. The alternative route can be located on a cyclically circulating feed loop, on a cyclically circulating discharge loop, or on a combined feed and discharge loop. The alternative route bypasses part of the cyclically circulating transport loop, i.e. it allows the value document holders to bypass part of the cyclically circulating transport loop if necessary. In the section of the cyclically circulating transport loop bypassed by the alternative route, there are usually one or more transport interfaces, e.g. to checking or further processing devices, which can essentially bypass the value document holders due to their transport along the alternative route.

[0033] The alternative route can be longer or shorter than the section of the cyclically circulating transport loop bypassed by the alternative route. However, the alternative route is preferably a shortcut route that is shorter than the route leading along the cyclically circulating transport loop between the first and second transport interfaces, in particular between the branch and the junction of the shortcut route. The shortcut route is an alternative route for the value document holders that bypasses and shortens part of the cyclically circulating transport loop. The shortcut route creates an additional option for changing the processing sequence of the value document stacks by allowing value document stacks with higher priority to be reached more quickly by the checking device or the inspection device via the shortcut route.further processing device and can be processed earlier than stacks of value documents of lower priority that are transported along the entire cyclically circulating transport loop. Outsourcing branch

[0034] In some embodiments, the cyclically circulating transport loop has at least one transport interface, in particular a branch and a junction, to a retrieval branch, in which value document receptacles can be temporarily removed from the cyclically circulating transport loop (possibly parked or slowly transported) and from which they can be reinserted into the cyclically circulating transport loop at a later time. The retrieval branch can be located at a cyclically circulating feed loop, at a cyclically circulating discharge loop, or at a combined feed and discharge loop.

[0035] The retrieval branch provides an additional option for changing the processing sequence of the value document stacks by temporarily buffering lower-priority value document stacks in the retrieval branch and only later transporting them out of the retrieval branch to be then fed to a testing device or further processing device. The retrieval branch can have a section with bidirectional transport of the value document holders, i.e., with reversing the transport direction of the value document holders between the retrieval and retrieval stages.

[0036] Alternatively, the outbound branch can also branch off from the cyclically circulating transport loop and rejoin at a different point along the cyclically circulating transport loop and be unidirectional (i.e., the value document holders do not reverse their transport direction between the outbound and inbound sections). The outbound branch bypasses part of the cyclically circulating transport loop, although the transport path between the branch and the inbound section along the outbound branch is usually longer than the path along the cyclically circulating transport loop. There is usually no transport interface in the section of the cyclically circulating transport loop bypassed by the outbound branch. Further examples

[0037] The cyclically circulating transport loop of the arrangement can form a cyclically circulating feed loop for value document stacks to the respective testing device and another cyclically circulating transport loop of the arrangement can form a cyclically circulating removal loop for value document stacks from the respective testing device. For example, the arrangement for one or more testing devices has both a feed interface via which (e.g. unchecked) value document stacks, optionally together with a value document holder receiving the respective at least one value document stack, can be fed from a cyclically circulating transport loop to the respective testing device. The respective testing device also has a removal interface which is different from the feed interface and via which value document stacks checked by the respective testing device, optionallytogether with a value document holder holding the respective at least one value document stack, can be removed from the respective checking device to another cyclically circulating transport loop (i.e., a different cyclically circulating transport loop than the one from which these value document stacks were fed to the respective checking device via the feed interface or via the combined feed and removal interface). The feed interface and removal interface can also be formed by a combined feed and removal interface. The cyclically circulating feed loop can be connected to at least one preparation station, and the cyclically circulating removal loop can be connected to at least one further processing device.

[0038] The arrangement can comprise one or more of the checking devices, as well as the cyclically circulating transport loop (configured as a cyclically circulating feed loop), and the other cyclically circulating transport loop (configured as a cyclically circulating discharge loop), wherein the two cyclically circulating transport loops are separated from each other. One feed interface of the cyclically circulating transport loop or feed loop and one discharge interface of the other cyclically circulating transport loop or discharge loop are located on the same checking device or are connected to the same checking device. Thus, the valuable documents can be transported from the cyclically circulating transport loop (feed loop) directly into the other cyclically circulating transport loop (discharge loop) by passing through the checking device in which the valuable documents are checked.At least one verification device is connected—with respect to the transport path of the value documents—between the cyclically circulating transport loop (feed loop) and the other cyclically circulating transport loop (discharge loop) in such a way that value documents can be transported from the cyclically circulating transport loop (feed loop) through the feed interface to the respective verification device and (the same value documents, after their verification) from this verification device via the discharge interface to the other cyclically circulating transport loop (discharge loop). To keep the transport paths short, the respective verification device interposed between the two cyclically circulating transport loops is preferably arranged between the two cyclically circulating transport loops (feed loop and discharge loop).

[0039] Along the cyclically circulating transport loop, there can be one or more feed interfaces to one or more testing devices, as well as one or more removal interfaces from one or more testing devices. The cyclically circulating transport loop can form both a cyclically circulating feed loop for stacks of valuable documents to the respective testing device and a cyclically circulating removal loop for stacks of valuable documents from the respective testing device, i.e. a combined cyclically circulating feed and removal loop. The arrangement has, for example, both a feed interface for one or more testing devices, via which (e.g. unchecked) stacks of valuable documents, if necessary,together with a value document holder receiving the respective at least one value document stack, can be fed from the cyclically circulating transport loop to the respective testing device, as well as a discharge interface via which value document stacks checked by the respective testing device, possibly together with a value document holder receiving the respective at least one value document stack, can be transported back to the same cyclically circulating transport loop from which they were fed to the respective testing device via the feed interface.

[0040] The feed interface and / or discharge interface of the respective testing device can be formed by a combined feed and discharge interface, which is designed to transport the stack of valuable documents, possibly together with a valuable document holder that holds the respective at least one stack of valuable documents, both from the cyclically circulating transport loop to the respective testing device and from the respective testing device back to the cyclically circulating transport loop. In one or more testing devices, the combined feed and discharge interface of the testing device has, for example,a bidirectional transport section which is connected both to a branch from the cyclically circulating transport loop and to an inlet into the cyclically circulating transport loop, and via which one or more value document holders, each loaded with at least one stack of value documents, can be transported both from the cyclically circulating transport loop to the respective checking device and from the respective checking device to the cyclically circulating transport loop.

[0041] For example, the feed interface of the testing device or the combined feed and discharge interface of the testing device can be configured to transfer the value document stack alone, i.e., without the value document holder with which it is transported on the cyclically circulating transport loop, from the cyclically circulating transport loop to the testing device and / or vice versa. Alternatively, it can be configured to to take over a stack of valuable documents picked up by a valuable document holder together with the valuable document holder from the cyclically circulating transport loop, and to separate the stack of valuable documents from the valuable document holder (e.g. to automatically open a clamping device and / or to remove it from a valuable document container using a gripper) and to feed it to the checking device, and to return the valuable document holder in which the stack of valuable documents was picked up to the cyclically circulating transport loop.

[0042] For example, the respective transport interface of the respective checking device is configured to remove a stack of valuable documents from one of the valuable document receptacles located in the cyclically circulating transport loop and to transport it to the respective checking device and / or to insert a stack of valuable documents, which the respective transport interface removes from the checking device, from the respective checking device into one of the valuable document receptacles located in the cyclically circulating transport loop. gripper

[0043] In some embodiments, the transport interface of one or more checking devices has a gripper, via which the respective checking device is connected to the cyclically circulating transport loop. The gripper is configured, when the respective value document holder is within reach of the gripper, to remove a respective value document stack, optionally together with a value document holder holding the respective at least one value document stack, from the cyclically circulating transport loop and to feed the respective value document stack to the respective checking device and / or to take a respective value document stack, optionally together with a value document holder holding the respective at least one value document stack, from the respective checking device and to feed it to the cyclically circulating transport loop.

[0044] In particular, the gripper is configured to transfer the respective stack of valuable documents without its valuable document holder from the cyclically circulating transport loop to the testing device and / or from the testing device to the cyclically circulating transport loop. For example, the gripper can remove a valuable document stack from one of the valuable document holders located in the cyclically circulating transport loop and / or insert it into a valuable document holder located in the cyclically circulating transport loop. The removal or insertion of the respective valuable document stack from or into the respective valuable document holder can be performed while the respective valuable document holder is being transported by the transport device of the cyclically circulating transport loop.

[0045] Alternatively, the transport device of the cyclically circulating transport loop can be stopped for the removal or insertion (of the stack of valuable documents or the valuable document holder holding the stack of valuable documents) by means of a gripper, and the stack of valuable documents or the valuable document holder holding the stack of valuable documents can be removed or inserted while the transport device is stopped. Alternatively, only the transport of a specific valuable document holder along the cyclically circulating transport loop can be temporarily stopped or significantly slowed down for removal by means of a gripper (while the other valuable document holders of the cyclically circulating transport loop continue to be transported), and the stack of valuable documents can be removed from the stopped valuable document holder.

[0046] Alternatively, the respective stack of valuable documents is removed from or inserted into the valuable document holder using the gripper only after the respective valuable document holder has been removed from the transport device of the cyclically circulating transport loop, e.g., lifted off or ejected. The respective valuable document holder is removed from the transport device of the cyclically circulating transport loop, e.g., using the same gripper as was used to remove or insert the stack of valuable documents from or into this valuable document holder.

[0047] The gripper can be permanently installed at the transport interface. Alternatively, the gripper can be installed on a self-propelled transport vehicle that is located (e.g., temporarily) at the transport device of the cyclically circulating transport loop. In particular, the testing device is arranged so close to the transport interface that an input interface of the testing device, in particular an input compartment, of the testing device is within the reach of the gripper, and / or the testing device is arranged so close to the transport interface that an output interface of the testing device, in particular an output compartment, of the testing device is within the reach of the gripper. Continuous infeed and outfeed

[0048] In particular, in one or more testing devices, the feed interface or the combined feed and discharge interface of the testing device can have a branch that is connected to the transport device of the cyclically circulating transport loop in such a way that one or more value document holders can be transported via the transport switch either continuously from the cyclically circulating transport loop into the respective branch or can be transported continuously further in the cyclically circulating transport loop (past the branch) (in order to continue circulating or to be transported to another testing device if necessary). A transport switch can be used to connect the cyclically circulating transport loop to the feed interface or the combined feed and discharge interface.The respective valuable document holder, which is branched off from the cyclically circulating transport loop via the branch, is transported, for example, to an input interface of a verification device. The respective valuable document stack is removed from the branched valuable document holder when the respective valuable document holder is located at the input interface of the verification device, e.g., by a removal device of the input interface (e.g., a rake or gripper). The removed valuable document stack is then checked by the verification device.

[0049] In particular, in the case of one or more testing devices, the discharge interface or the combined feed and discharge interface of the testing device can have an inlet which is connected to the transport device of the cyclically circulating transport loop in such a way that one or more value document receptacles, each with at least one value document stack held therein, can be continuously transported from the testing device via the inlet into the cyclically circulating transport loop. The inlet is designed to transport one or more value document receptacles, each with at least one value document stack located therein, which was output from the respective testing device, to the cyclically circulating transport loop (discharge loop) and to transfer them thereto.A transport switch can be used between the combined feed and discharge interface and the cyclically circulating transport loop. The transfer of the valuable document holder or the valuable document stack to the cyclically circulating transport loop can also be achieved by pushing it over. The valuable document stack checked by one of the checking devices is placed in a valuable document holder which is located for this purpose at the output interface of the respective checking device. The checked valuable document stack is placed in the valuable document holder while the respective valuable document holder is located at an output interface of the checking device. The valuable documents can be placed, for example, by an insertion device (e.g. rake or gripper) located at the output interface.The respective value document holder, in which a stack of value documents checked by the checking device has been inserted, is then transported from the output interface of the checking device via the junction into the cyclically circulating transport loop.

[0050] The discharge interface and the feed interface for the respective testing device can be connected to each other in such a way that the discharge interface and the feed interface form a further cyclically circulating transport loop for the value document holders. Opposite parallel transport sections

[0051] In some embodiments, the cyclically circulating transport loop has at least two oppositely directed transport sections in which the value document receptacles are transported in opposite directions and which run parallel to one another. For example, the two parallel, oppositely directed transport sections of the cyclically circulating transport loop are arranged one below the other or directly next to one another, preferably with a lateral distance (distance in the plane of the cyclically circulating transport loop) of less than 2 m from one another. Along at least one of the two parallel, oppositely directed transport sections, at least one first transport interface is present, which is in particular a transport interface for one of the checking devices and / or a transport interface for a further processing device and / or a transport interface for a preparation station.The first transport interface is designed to transport a stack of valuable documents, optionally together with a valuable document holder that holds the respective at least one stack of valuable documents, via the respective first transport interface from the cyclically circulating transport loop to the respective checking device or further processing device and / or from the respective checking device or further processing device or preparation station to the cyclically circulating transport loop. The first transport interface is, for example, a combined feed and discharge interface.

[0052] For the checking device or further processing device or preparation station that has the first transport interface to one of the two parallel, oppositely directed transport sections, the first transport interface can simultaneously also form a transport interface to the other of the two parallel, oppositely directed transport sections. For example, the first transport interface can have a gripper that can access both parallel, oppositely directed transport sections in order to remove stacks of valuable documents from the respective transport section, optionally together with a valuable document holder that holds the respective at least one stack of valuable documents. Alternatively, this checking device or further processing device or preparation station can additionally have a second transport interface to the other of the two parallel, oppositely directed transport sections.The second transport interface is designed to transport a stack of value documents, optionally together with a value document holder receiving the respective at least one stack of value documents, via the second transport interface from the respective transport section of the cyclically circulating transport loop to the respective checking device or further processing device and / or to transport it from the respective checking device or further processing device or preparation station to the second transport section of the cyclically circulating transport loop. Bypass transport route

[0053] In some embodiments, the transport device has at least one transport interface along the cyclically circulating transport loop to a bypass transport path for the value document receptacles, which leads from the cyclically circulating transport loop to one of the above-mentioned further processing devices and / or to a further transport device (e.g. to another cyclically circulating transport loop) which can be connected to at least one of the above-mentioned further processing devices.Via the bypass transport path, value document holders (which may or may not contain one or more value document stacks) can be transported from the cyclically circulating transport loop to the further processing device and / or to the other cyclically circulating transport loop, or vice versa, from the further processing device and / or from the other cyclically circulating transport loop to the cyclically circulating transport loop. The transport interface to the bypass transport path can have a branch and / or an inlet or a gripper that transfers value document stacks, optionally together with the value document holder containing the at least one value document stack, between the cyclically circulating transport loop and the bypass transport path.The bypass transport path avoids the transport of the value document recordings to a verification device and thus enables value document recordings to be removed from or fed into the cyclically circulating transport loop more quickly.

[0054] For example, via a bypass transport path, stacks of valuable documents (e.g. unchecked) can be transported past the checking devices to a further processing device or to the other cyclically circulating transport loop. Via another bypass transport path, emptied valuable document holders, the valuable document stack of which was removed, for example, from a further processing device, can be brought from the further processing device or from the other cyclically circulating transport loop back to the (first mentioned above) cyclically circulating transport loop, from which the valuable document stacks were previously fed to one of the checking devices. In one embodiment, the cyclically circulating transport loop has a first transport interface to a first bypass transport path, via which valuable document holders (in which, if applicable,a stack of value documents is accommodated) from the cyclically circulating transport loop to another cyclically circulating transport loop and a second transport interface to a second bypass transport path, via which value document holders (in which a stack of value documents is possibly accommodated) can be transported back from the other cyclically circulating transport loop to the cyclically circulating transport loop. Valuable document recordings

[0055] Various embodiments are conceivable for the valuable document holders of the valuable document stacks. The valuable document holder is preferably designed to hold a valuable document stack in such a way that – even when the valuable document holders are transported by the transport device – the valuable document stack remains stack-shaped, i.e., the stack shape is retained. The valuable document holders can be permanently installed on the transport device or removable from the transport device. The valuable document holders have, for example, an individual identifier, e.g., a barcode, a QR code, or an RFID element, to enable secure tracking of the valuable document holders and valuable document stacks.

[0056] For example, the respective value document receptacle can have a value document container which is designed to receive a stack of value documents in its interior, wherein the side walls and the base of the container optionally secure the stack shape. The value document container can be designed to receive exactly one stack of value documents. Alternatively, the value document container can also be designed to receive multiple stacks of value documents which are received in separate sections of the value document container. The values ​​can stand with their edges on the base of the value document container or rest with their surfaces on the base. Alternatively or additionally, the respective value document receptacle can have a clamping device for value document stacks which is designed to hold a stack of value documents by means of a clamping force so that the stack shape is maintained.For example, the clamping device has a detachable clamp for stacks of valuable documents, which can clamp a stack of valuable documents against a spring force. Transport device

[0057] Various embodiments are also conceivable for the transport device of the cyclically circulating transport loop. For example, the transport device comprises at least one conveyor belt, in particular several conveyor belts arranged in a row, on which valuable document holders can be transported along the cyclically circulating transport loop. Alternatively or additionally, the transport device can comprise one or more roller conveyors arranged in a row, on which valuable document holders can be transported along the cyclically circulating transport loop. Proceedings

[0058] The invention also relates to a method for processing value documents with the aid of two or more checking devices designed to check value documents, and with the aid of a transport device that transports a plurality of value document receptacles, each of which holds at least one value document stack. The checking devices are each connected to the transport device via at least one transport interface, via which one or more value document stacks, optionally together with a value document receptacle holding the respective at least one value document stack, are transported from the transport device to the respective checking device and / or from the respective checking device to the transport device.

[0059] The transport device forms a cyclically circulating transport loop for the value document holders, wherein the respective checking device is connected to the cyclically circulating transport loop via the respective transport interface. The respective value document stack, optionally together with a value document holder holding the respective at least one value document stack, is transported via the respective transport interface from the cyclically circulating transport loop (directly) to the respective checking device and / or from the respective checking device (directly) to the cyclically circulating transport loop. The above-mentioned features apply not only to the arrangement according to the invention, but also to the method according to the invention.

[0060] The invention is explained and described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show: Fig. 1a a schematic representation of a money cycle; and Fig. 1b, c embodiments of the transport devices and the value document holders in side view; Fig. 1d an embodiment of a feed interface and a discharge interface to / from a testing device in side view; Fig. 2a, b a top view of a cyclically circulating transport loop for feeding stacks of value documents to two testing devices ( Fig. 2a ) and a cyclically rotating transport loop for removing stacks of valuable documents from two checking devices ( Fig. 2b ); Fig. 3 an embodiment with an additional cyclically rotating transport loop with many preparation stations; Fig. 4a-c embodiments of a testing device with combined feed and discharge interface ( Fig. 4a ), with separate feed and discharge interfaces ( Fig. 4b, c); Fig. 5a-dEmbodiment of a combined feed and discharge interface with gripper; Fig. 6Embodiment of a cyclically circulating transport loop with removal branch; Fig. 7a-eEmbodiments of cyclically circulating transport loops with parallel and oppositely directed transport sections; Fig. 8A non-inventive example of a cyclically circulating feed loop and a cyclically circulating discharge loop that are connected to the same testing device; Fig. 9Embodiments of bypass transport paths between two cyclically circulating transport loops.

[0061] The arrangement according to the invention can be used wherever multiple verification devices are used to verify valuable documents. The invention relates to the processing of stackable valuable documents, such as banknotes, checks, vouchers, tickets, etc. It is explained below using banknotes as an example, but is equally suitable for other valuable documents whose mechanical processing is to be carried out by multiple verification devices.

[0062] The Fig. 1ashows a schematic representation of a typical money cycle for banknotes. In a banknote printing works BD the banknotes are produced on behalf of a central bank ZB. The finished banknotes are put into circulation via the central bank ZB by being issued to individual commercial banks GB or to cash centers CC. Merchants H (commercial enterprises) receive their cash holdings from private customers, i.e. buyers PK, or from the commercial banks GB. For settlement and verification of the deposited cash, the merchants H pass their cash on to the cash centers CC or commercial banks GB. The buyers PK also receive their cash from the commercial banks GB. In addition, cash that has already been in circulation can flow back from the commercial banks GB and cash centers CC to the central bank ZB to be checked again for authenticity and / or fitness for circulation if necessary and to destroy banknotes that are no longer fit for circulation.A key task of a cash center is the processing of cash, particularly banknotes, delivered to the cash centers (CC) by their business customers. This can, for example, be cash receipts delivered to the cash centers (CC) directly from retailers (H) or from commercial banks (GB) or from associated ATMs (AT).

[0063] The data for a delivered deposit is entered into the associated cash center management software on a computer that is connected via signal lines to computers at various locations in the cash center. This data transmission takes place separately from the handling of the transport containers or stacks of valuable documents in the cash center. Alternatively, the data can be stored on a chip in the respective transport container and carried along with it. To enable the data records in the software to be assigned to the respective deposit, the individual identifier of the respective transport container can be recorded, e.g., by scanning the transport container's barcode. It can also be provided that an information card identifying the respective deposit is assigned to each deposit and enclosed.

[0064] The arrangement according to the invention can be used in particular in a cash center in which the banknotes are processed by various devices. The valuable documents delivered to the cash center by a cash-in-transit company are first divided into banknotes and coins, which are usually processed separately by machine. The banknotes of the respective deposit are then stacked at a preparation station. If necessary, an initial machine registration of the respective deposit also takes place at the preparation station. At the preparation station, the prepared banknote stack of the respective deposit is placed in a valuable document holder, in particular (separately from the valuable document stacks of other deposits) placed in a transport container. The banknote stacks contained in the transport containers are then transported to the checking devices, where they are then checked.The checking of the banknotes by the checking devices can, for example, include an authenticity check and, optionally, a condition check of the banknotes, as well as counting and sorting the banknotes.

[0065] In the Fig. 1b and 1c possible realizations of a transport device 9 are outlined, through which value document holders 5, in each of which at least one value document stack 1 is located, are transported along a cyclically circulating transport loop 10, cf. Fig. 2a,b , can be transported. The transport device 9 can, for example, have one or more transport belts, in particular conveyor belts, on which value document holders 5 are transported by the movement of the conveyor belt, as shown in Fig. 1b However, the transport device 9 can also have at least one roller conveyor, as shown in Fig. 1cThe roller conveyor forms a roller track on which the security document holders 5 are transported by the movement of the rollers. The rollers are cylindrical with their axes perpendicular to the transport direction of the security document holders. The roller conveyor(s) may be equipped with side walls for lateral guidance of the security document holders 5.

[0066] Instead of a security document container 5 as shown in Fig. 1b As shown, other value document holders 5 which are not container-shaped can also be used. The value document holders can, for example, comprise clamping devices, as shown in Fig. 1c outlined, which hold the respective stack of valuable documents 1 in stack form using spring force. For example, at the respective transport interface, only the clamping device is opened to remove the stack of valuable documents from the transport device.

[0067] Alternatively, the clamping device with the stack of valuable documents clamped therein is removed from the transport device at the respective transport interface, while a base for the clamping device remains on the transport device. Alternatively, to remove the stack of valuable documents, the clamping device can be removed from the transport device along with the base, leaving both together. If necessary, the base for the clamping device can also be placed back on the transport device.

[0068] Alternatively, the value document holders can also have shelves for value document stacks, on which the value documents rest with their surfaces and which have, for example, a horizontal or inclined support surface. The respective support surface of the value document holder can be provided with lateral webs next to the respective value document stack, which secure the respective value document stack from slipping in order to maintain the stack shape. Alternatively, the value document holders can also be formed by sections of a conveyor belt which are distributed along the conveyor belt in the direction of rotation of the transport device, with one section of the conveyor belt in each case forming a shelf for a value document stack. These conveyor belt sections can be provided with one or more webs which prevent the value document stack 1 from slipping and thus secure its stack shape.The conveyor belt sections that form the value document holders can each have an individual identifier.

[0069] In Fig. 1d A simplified side view of a security document checking device P1 is shown, which is designed to check the individual security documents of the respective security document stack. On the left in Fig. 1d There is a transport device 9, which is part of a cyclically rotating transport loop 10 (cf. Fig. 2a, b ). The transport device 9 transports the value document containers 5 to a feed interface 3. Via a transport switch or by pushing them over using a sliding element (in Fig. 1d not shown), the respective value document container 5 is transported by the transport device 9 into the feed interface 3, which in this example has a conveyor belt.

[0070] With the aid of the conveyor belt of the feed interface 3, the respective valuable document container 5 is pushed onto a receiving plate 8a, on which the valuable document container 5 is placed for removal of the valuable documents. The checking device has a removal device 7a that removes valuable documents from the valuable document container 5 and transfers them to a transport path 2. For example, the removal device 7a comprises a separating device that separates the valuable documents directly from the valuable document container 5 and feeds them to the transport path 2. The removal device 7a can also be designed to open the valuable document container.Alternatively, the removal device 7a can also comprise a gripper which removes the value document stack 1 from the value document container 5 still located on the conveyor belt and places it on the receiving plate 8a, and a separating device which removes the value documents individually from the value document stack located on the receiving plate 8a and feeds them to the transport path 2.

[0071] In the checking device P1, the valuable documents removed from the valuable document container 5 are then transported individually along the transport path 2 past one or more sensors 6, which are designed to check the authenticity and, if applicable, the condition of the valuable documents. Optionally, the valuable documents are sorted according to authenticity and / or condition into several output compartments of the checking device P1. In front of the respective output compartment, the checking device has, for example, a stacker wheel 7b, which stacks the valuable documents arriving individually from the transport path 2 onto a storage plate 8b. The checked valuable document stack 1 deposited on the storage plate 8b is then placed into a transport container 5 by means of an output device, for example with the aid of a gripper 7c. However, other mechanisms for placing the valuable documents into the valuable document container 5 can also be used.For example, the valuable documents arriving from the transport route 2 can be stacked directly into the respective transport container 5 - with the aid of a stacker wheel 7b or freely falling. The valuable document container 5 loaded with a valuable document stack 1 is then transported away from the checking device P1 via a discharge interface 4 and to the in . Fig. 1d The transport device 9 shown on the right can also be part of a (same or another) cyclically rotating transport loop, e.g. via a transport switch or by pushing it over by means of a sliding element (in Fig. 1d not shown).

[0072] In Fig. 2aA cyclically circulating transport loop 10 is shown, which forms a cyclically circulating feed loop for value document stacks to two checking devices P1 and P2, and feeds value document stacks 1 (or value document receptacles 5 with value document stacks received therein) to the checking devices P1, P2. In an alternative not according to the invention, only a single checking device P1 can be connected to the cyclically circulating feed loop. The value document stacks 1 to be checked (in Fig. 2aas shown in black in the other figures) are prepared - manually or automatically - at a preparation station E for the machine verification of the value documents and are put into stack form. The preparation of the value documents also includes, for example, checking the value documents. During the manual preparation of the stacks, information about the value documents is usually recorded, e.g. details about the depositor, an account number, a transaction number or the quantity or value of the value documents making up the deposit. The value document stack 1 to be checked is placed into a value document holder 5 via a transport interface 14 of the preparation station E. The value document holders 5 are transported by the transport device 9 of the cyclically circulating transport loop 10 in a clockwise direction from the transport interface 14 to the checking devices P1, P2.Between the respective testing device and the cyclically circulating feed loop 10, a feed interface 3 is arranged, which transports the respective value document stack 1 alone (i.e. without its value document holder 5) or the respective value document holder 5 with a value document stack 1 received therein from the cyclically circulating feed loop 10 to the respective testing device.

[0073] The cyclically circulating feed loop 10 allows the processing order of the value document stacks 1 to be checked by the checking device to be changed, e.g., if certain value document stacks are to be checked with higher priority than other value document stacks. The value document stacks 1 to be checked with higher priority from the feed loop 10 are fed to the respective checking device first, while the other value document stacks 1 to be checked temporarily remain in the feed loop 10 and are only fed to one of the checking devices P1, P2 during one of the next cycles around the feed loop. If, as here, two checking devices P1, P2 are connected to the same feed loop 10, each value document stack 1 can also be fed optionally to one checking device P1 or the other checking device P2 for its checking, e.g.,depending on which of the checking devices P1, P2 has free processing capacity for this stack of value documents 1 at the respective time.

[0074] The transport interface 14 of the preparation station E comprises, for example, a gripper arranged between the respective preparation station and the cyclically circulating transport loop, which inserts the valuable document stack 1 to be checked into a valuable document holder 5. The valuable document holder 5 can be located on the transport device 9 during insertion or can be removed from the transport device 9 for the purpose of insertion and then placed back on the transport device 9. As an alternative to a gripper, an outlet can also be arranged between the respective preparation station and the cyclically circulating transport loop, through which the preparation station is connected to the cyclically circulating feed loop 10, if necessary via a transport switch.Value document holders 5, which have been manually or automatically loaded with stacks of value documents in the preparation station E, can be continuously fed to the cyclically circulating transport loop 10 via the respective opening.

[0075] In Fig. 2bA cyclically circulating transport loop is shown, which forms a cyclically circulating removal loop for value document stacks from two checking devices P1 and P2, and removes value document stacks 1 (or value document receptacles 5 with a value document stack received therein) from the checking devices P1, P2. Alternatively, only a single checking device P1 can be connected to the cyclically circulating removal loop. Between the respective checking device and the cyclically circulating transport loop 10, a removal interface 4 is arranged, which transports the respective value document stack 1 alone (without its value document receptacle 5) or the respective value document receptacle 5 with a value document stack 1 received therein from the respective checking device P1, P2 to the cyclically circulating removal loop 10. The checked value document stacks 1 are in Fig. 2bas shown hatched in the other figures. The value document holders 5 are transported by the transport device 9 of the cyclically rotating discharge loop 10 in a clockwise direction away from the respective testing device P1, P2 to a transport interface 13 of the further processing device W. At the transport interface 13, the value document stack 1 to be checked is removed from the value document holder 5. The transport interface 13 of the further processing device W comprises, for example, a gripper which removes the value document stack 1 to be checked from the value document holder 5, wherein the value document holder 5 can be located on the transport device 9 during removal or can be removed from the transport device 9 for the purpose of removal and is then placed back on the transport device 9.

[0076] Alternatively, the transport interface 13 of the further processing device can also comprise a branch via which value document receptacles 5 with the checked value document stack 1 located therein can be continuously transported from the cyclically circulating discharge loop 10 to the further processing device W. The further processing device W is connected to the cyclically circulating discharge loop by the branch, if necessary via a transport switch, in such a way that value document receptacles 5 can be continuously fed from the cyclically circulating discharge loop 10 via the branch to the respective further processing device W.

[0077] The checked stacks of valuable documents 1 are further processed at the further processing device W. The further processing device is designed, for example, for banding and / or wrapping the stacks of valuable documents in film. The cyclically circulating discharge loop 10 ensures that each stack of valuable documents 1 can be optionally fed to the further processing device after its inspection or - for example, if the further processing device W cannot currently process this stack of valuable documents - can temporarily remain in the discharge loop 10 until the further processing device W can further process this stack of valuable documents 1. The cyclically circulating discharge loop 10 also allows the processing sequence of the checked stacks of valuable documents 1 by the further processing device to be changed, e.g.To prioritize stacks of a specific value document type required for further processing over other value document stacks. The value document stacks 1 from the discharge loop 10, which are to be further processed with higher priority, are then fed to the further processing device W first, while the other value document stacks 1 remain temporarily in the discharge loop and are only fed to the further processing device W during one of the next circuits around the discharge loop. If, as here, two checking devices P1, P2 are connected to the same discharge loop 10, this also ensures that the value document stacks 1 checked by the various checking devices P1, P2 are reunited after their checking.

[0078] The two cyclically rotating transport loops 10 from Fig. 2a and 2bcan be formed, for example, by several conveyor belt sections arranged in a row or several roller conveyors arranged in a row, between which value document holders 5 are automatically transferred, for example by pushing the value document holders 5 over. However, other and possibly different types of transport devices can also be used for the respective cyclically circulating transport loop.

[0079] In Fig. 3 An embodiment with two cyclically rotating transport loops 10 is shown, which supply the same two checking devices P1, P2 with (e.g. unchecked) stacks of valuable documents. Fig. 3The cyclically circulating transport loop 10 shown on the left is a combined cyclically circulating feed and discharge loop, which serves both to feed (e.g. unchecked) value document stacks 1 (black) to the checking devices P1, P2, and to discharge the value document stacks 1 checked by the checking devices P1, P2 (hatched). The checking devices P1, P2 are each connected to this via a combined feed and discharge interface 34. Three preparation stations E1-E3 and two further processing devices W1, W2 are arranged on the combined feed and discharge loop. Fig. 3The cyclically rotating transport loop 10 shown on the right is a cyclically rotating feed loop, on which five preparation stations E4-E8 are arranged. Since the number of preparation stations is selected depending on the number and speed of the test devices, more or fewer preparation stations and / or more than two test devices can be used in the Fig. 3 used in the manner shown.

[0080] Fig. 4a shows an embodiment of a combined feed and discharge interface 34 of a testing device P1, which has both a branch 11 for the value document receptacles from the cyclically circulating transport loop 10 and an inlet 15 for the value document receptacles into the cyclically circulating transport loop 10.

[0081] The branch 11 and the junction 15 can be connected to the cyclically circulating transport loop 10 via a transport switch 12. The feed and discharge interface 34 of the testing device P1 also has a bidirectional transport section 19, which is connected to both the branch 11 and the junction 15 and via which the valuable document holders can be transported either toward or away from the testing device P1.

[0082] Fig. 4bshows an embodiment of a discharge interface 4 for a testing device P1, which is separate from the feed interface 3. The branch 11 and the inlet 15 of the testing device P1 are each connected to the cyclically circulating transport loop 10 via a separate transport switch 12, so that value document receptacles 5 (with the value document stack 1 received therein) can be optionally fed either via the branch 11 from the cyclically circulating transport loop 10 to an input interface of the testing device P1 or transported past the testing device P1. Value document receptacles 5 are discharged from the output interface of the testing device P1 to the cyclically circulating transport loop 10 via the inlet 15.For the valuable document containers, a waiting position 17 can be provided in the junction 11 in front of the checking device P1, in which a valuable document holder 5 can be stopped until the checking device P1 can accept the valuable document holder 5. Similarly, a waiting position 18 can be provided after the checking device in the junction 15, in which the valuable document holder 5 can be stopped until the valuable document holder 5 can be fed into the cyclically circulating transport loop 10.

[0083] In the embodiment of the Fig. 4cThe branch 11 for the value document holders from the cyclically circulating transport loop 10 and the junction 15 for the value document holders into the cyclically circulating transport loop 10 are located at the same point in the cyclically circulating transport loop 10. Therefore, the branching and merging of the value document holders 5 can advantageously be controlled by the same transport switch. The discharge interface 4 and the feed interface 3 for the testing device P1 are connected to one another in such a way that the discharge interface 4 and the feed interface 3 form another cyclically circulating transport loop for the value document holders. This has the advantage of requiring little space for the branch and junction and simultaneously avoids having to reverse the transport direction of the value document holders.The direction of rotation of this additional cyclically circulating transport loop is the opposite (here counterclockwise) to the direction of rotation of the cyclically circulating transport loop 10 (here clockwise). At the point of this additional cyclically circulating transport loop closest to the checking device P1, the value document holders can stop and value documents can be removed and / or inserted, e.g., by a gripper 30 moved by a robot 31, which feeds unchecked value documents to the checking device P1 or removes checked value documents from the checking device P1. Alternatively, the checking device P1 can also be connected directly to the discharge interface 4 and the feed interface 3, e.g., the feed interface 3 ends at an input interface of the checking device P1 and the discharge interface 4 begins at an output interface of the checking device P1.

[0084] In Fig. 5a-dA further exemplary embodiment of a combined feed and removal interface 34 is outlined, which in this case has a gripper 30 that is used to grip the value document stack 1. The gripper 30 has two rake-like gripping elements, between which a value document stack 1 is clamped. It is moved two-dimensionally or three-dimensionally in space by a suitable kinematics 31, e.g. a robot, in order to remove a value document stack 1 from a value document receptacle 5 located in the cyclically circulating transport loop 10 and insert it into an input compartment 33 of the checking device P1 and vice versa, in order to remove a checked value document stack 1 from an output compartment 35 of the checking device P1 and insert it into a value document receptacle 5 located in the cyclically circulating transport loop 10.

[0085] Fig. 5ashows the situation at the time shortly before the gripper 30 removes a (e.g. unchecked) value document stack 1 from the value document holder 5, which is transported by the transport device 9 of the cyclically circulating transport loop 10. Fig. 5b shows the situation somewhat later, after the gripper 30 has removed the value document stack 1 from the cyclically circulating transport loop 10, shortly before the gripper places the removed value document stack 1 into the input compartment 33 of the testing device P1. Fig. 5c shows the situation after the testing of a stack of valuable documents 1 by the testing device P1, at the time at which the gripper has just removed the tested stack of valuable documents 1 from the output compartment 35 of the testing device P1. Fig. 5dshows the situation shortly before the gripper 30 inserts the checked value document stack 1 into a value document holder 5, which is located in the cyclically circulating transport loop 10 at the time of insertion.

[0086] The embodiment from Fig. 6 is based on the Fig. 2bIn contrast, however, here two further processing devices W1, W2 are connected to the cyclically circulating discharge loop 10 via a respective transport interface 13. For example, the further processing devices are two packaging devices W1, W2, each of which packages stacks 1 of a specific value document type, specifically a predetermined quantity of value documents of a specific type. If only a portion of the predetermined quantity of the respective value document type is available to one of the packaging devices W1, W2 at a given time, the cyclically circulating discharge loop enables selection of the correct value document type for the respective packaging device.The appropriate value document type can be selected by allowing the value document stacks 1 of other value document types to pass on the discharge loop 10 and only such a value document stack 1 that has the correct value document type (required by the packaging device) is fed to the respective packaging device.

[0087] Furthermore, Fig. 6 Downstream of the further processing devices W1, W2 in the direction of rotation, there is a value document storage T, e.g. a safe or similar, which is also connected to the cyclically circulating discharge loop 10 via a transport interface 13. Checked, further processed value document stacks 1 can be temporarily stored therein, but possibly also checked value document stacks 1 that come directly from one of the checking devices P1, P2 but have not been further processed. Furthermore, the cyclically circulating discharge loop 10 comprises Fig. 6a removal branch 25 with a branch 26 and an inlet 27, in which value document holders 5, possibly with a value document stack 1 accommodated therein, can be temporarily removed from the cyclically circulating removal loop 10 and reinserted therein at a later time. This removal branch 25 allows for the temporary parking of certain value document stacks 1 that are processed with low priority.

[0088] In Fig. 7a-e Further embodiments are shown in which the cyclically rotating transport loop 10 has at least two oppositely directed transport sections 40, 50, which are parallel to each other. Fig. 7a-d Each is a combined supply and discharge loop 10, in Fig. 7e to separate feed and discharge loops 10, 10'. In Fig. 7aTwo testing devices P1, P2 are arranged inside the transport loop 10. The preparation stations E1-E3 and the further processing devices W1, W2 are arranged outside the cyclically rotating transport loop 10.

[0089] In the embodiment from Fig. 7bThe two oppositely directed, parallel transport sections 40, 50 are spaced lateral by only approximately 1 m. This allows one or more checking devices to be equipped with a transport interface to each of the two parallel transport sections. Here, for example, the checking device P3 has a feed interface 3 from the upper of the two parallel transport sections 40 and a discharge interface 4 to the lower of the two parallel transport sections 50. This allows for rapid feeding of stacks of valuable documents 1 coming from the preparation station E1. The processing sequence of the stacks of valuable documents 1 can also be changed in this way.

[0090] In the embodiment from Fig. 7cThe cyclically circulating transport loop 10 has a shortcut path 16, via which (e.g., unchecked) stacks of valuable documents 1 from the preparation station E1 can be fed to the checking device P3 more quickly than if they were transported from the preparation station E1 along the right-hand part of the cyclically circulating transport loop 10 to the checking device P3. The processing sequence of the stacks of valuable documents 1 can also be changed in this way. The shortcut path 16 is connected to the cyclically circulating transport loop 10 by a branch 23 and a junction 24, which may be connected to the cyclically circulating transport loop via a transport switch. In addition, the cyclically circulating transport loop 10 has a removal branch 25 with branch 26 and inlet 27, in which value document stacks 1 with their value document holder 5 can be temporarily parked from the cyclically circulating removal loop 10 and fed back into it at a later time.

[0091] In the embodiment from Fig. 7d In the cyclically circulating transport loop 10, there is an upper and a lower pair of parallel and oppositely directed transport sections 40, 50 with a lateral distance of less than 2 m. On the upper pair 40, 50 there are feed interfaces 14 to preparation stations E1-E3 and combined feed and discharge interfaces 34 to testing devices P1, P2. On the lower pair 40, 50 there is a discharge interface 13 and a combined feed and discharge interface 34 to further processing devices W1, W2. Furthermore, in the cyclically circulating transport loop 10 of the Fig. 7dtwo shortcut paths 16. The lower shortcut path 16 enables a faster feeding of checked value document stacks 1, which come from the checking devices P1, P2, to the value document storage T than along the cyclically circulating transport loop 10. The upper shortcut path 16 enables a faster feeding of (e.g. checked, temporarily stored in the value document storage T, but not yet further processed) value document stacks 1 from the value document storage T to the further processing devices W1, W2 than along the cyclically circulating transport loop 10.

[0092] In the embodiment from Fig. 7eThe test fixtures P1-P3 are additionally connected to another cyclically circulating transport loop 10', in this case to a cyclically circulating discharge loop 10' (below), which is separate from the cyclically circulating feed loop 10 (above). Both contain two parallel, oppositely directed transport sections 40, 50. The test fixtures P1-P3 are located between the cyclically circulating feed loop 10 and the cyclically circulating discharge loop 10'. The checking device P3 has an additional discharge interface 4 to the lower parallel transport section 50 of the cyclically circulating discharge loop 10' in order to send some processed value document stacks 1 - without further processing - directly to the value document storage T in the case where many processed value document stacks 1 come from the checking devices P1-P3 in the cyclically circulating discharge loop 10.To relieve the right part of the cyclically circulating discharge loop 10', the further processing device W2 has an additional transport interface 13 to the upper transport section 40.

[0093] Even in the non-inventive example from Fig. 8the cyclically circulating feed loop 10 and the cyclically circulating discharge loop 10' are separated from each other. In this example, only a single checking device P1 is used. The feeding (e.g. unchecked) value document stack 1 to the checking device P1 takes place from the cyclically circulating feed loop 10, the output of checked value document stack 1 into the cyclically circulating discharge loop 10'. The feeding of the (e.g. unchecked) value document stack 1 from the cyclically circulating feed loop 10 to the checking device P1 and the discharge of the checked value document stack 1 from the checking device P1 to the cyclically circulating discharge loop 10' take place in this example together with the respective value document holder 5 (e.g. as shown in Fig. 4a-cexplained). The same applies to the feed from the preparation stations E1-E3 and the discharge to the further processing devices W1, W2. The checking device P1 can use the emptied value document holder 5, which comes from the cyclically circulating feed loop 10, to load it with stacks of value documents checked by the checking device and send the reloaded value document holder 5 to the cyclically circulating discharge loop 10'. With regard to the embodiment from Fig. 8 It is also conceivable that in order to remove the checked value document stacks 1 from the testing device P1, these are picked up by other value document holders 5 and brought to the cyclically circulating removal loop 10' via the respective removal interface 4. The feeding and / or removal of the value document stacks 1 from / to the testing device P1 can also take place without the respective value document holder 5 (e.g. by grippers such as Fig. 5explained).

[0094] In the embodiment from Fig. 9 After removing the respective stack of valuable documents 1, the respective testing device P1, P2 releases valuable document recordings 5 ​​via a transport interface 34 (cf. Fig. 4a) back to the cyclically circulating feed loop 10 so that they can be reloaded at the preparation stations E1-E3. In addition, in this embodiment, two bypass transport paths 20, 21 are provided, through which the cyclically circulating feed loop 10 is connected to the cyclically circulating discharge loop 10'. Via the upper bypass transport path 20, value document holders 5 with (e.g., unchecked) value document stacks 1 received therein can pass past the checking devices P1, P2 to the cyclically circulating discharge loop 10', i.e. without the value documents in question being subjected to a check by the checking devices P1, P2.Via the lower bypass transport path 21, empty value document holders 5 (without a stack of value documents held therein) can be returned from the cyclically circulating discharge loop 10', past the testing devices P1, P2, to the cyclically circulating feed loop 10 so that they can be reloaded (at the preparation stations).

Claims

1. Arrangement for processing valuable documents, comprising - a transport device (9) for valuable-document receptacles, which is designed to transport several valuable-document receptacles (5), each of which can receive at least one valuable-document stack (1), along a direction of circulation, - two or more checking devices (P1, P2, P3), which are connected to the transport device (9), for checking valuable documents, wherein the arrangement has at least one transport interface (3, 4, 34) for each of the checking devices (P1, P2, P3), the respective checking device being connected by the at least one transport interface to the transport device (9) such that valuable-document stacks (1), possibly together with a valuable-document receptacle (5) which receives the respective at least one valuable-document stack, can be transported via the respective transport interface (3, 4, 34) from the transport device (9) to the respective checking device (P1, P2, P3) and / or from the respective checking device (P1, P2, P3) to the transport device (9), - wherein the transport device (9) forms a cyclically circulating transport loop (10) for the valuable-document receptacles (5), which transport loop is closed in such a way that the valuable-document receptacles located in the cyclically circulating transport loop can run through this transport loop several times in the same circulation direction, and - wherein the respective checking device (P1, P2, P3) is connected by the respective transport interface (3, 4, 34) to the cyclically circulating transport loop (10) in such a way that the respective valuable-document stack (1), possibly together with the valuable-document receptacle (5) which receives the respective at least one valuable-document stack, can be transported via the respective transport interface (3, 4, 34) from the cyclically circulating transport loop (10) to the respective checking device (P1, P2, P3) and / or from the respective checking device (P1, P2, P3) to the cyclically circulating transport loop (10), characterized - in that the arrangement is designed to exchange valuable-document stacks as required at a variable time between the cyclically circulating transport loop and the respective checking device or vice versa, and - in that the arrangement has a control device which is configured to cause valuable-document stacks which are transported in the transport device (9) to be selectively fed to one or the other of the at least two checking devices (P1, P2), in particular depending on a utilization of at least one of the at least two checking devices.

2. Arrangement according to Claim 1, characterized in that the arrangement has a first transport interface (23) to an alternative path (16) for the valuable-document receptacles (5) along the cyclically circulating transport loop (10) and - as viewed downstream of the first transport interface (23) along the circulation direction of the cyclically circulating transport loop (10) - a second transport interface (24) for the valuable-document receptacles to the alternative path (16), wherein the alternative path (16) is in particular a shortcut (16), which is shorter than the path between the first transport interface (23) and the second transport interface (24), which leads along the cyclically circulating transport loop (10).

3. Arrangement according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the arrangement has, along the cyclically circulating transport loop (10), at least one transport interface (26, 27) to a removal branch (25), in which valuable-document receptacles (5), possibly with at least one valuable-document stack received therein, are temporarily ejected from the cyclically circulating transport loop (10) and from which these valuable-document receptacles can be reintroduced into the cyclically circulating transport loop (10) at a later time.

4. Arrangement according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the arrangement has, for at least one of the checking devices (P1, P2, P3), as the respective transport interface, a feed interface (3) or a combined feed and discharge interface (34) which is designed to feed a valuable-document stack (1), possibly together with a valuable-document receptacle (5) which receives the respective at least one valuable-document stack, from the cyclically circulating transport loop (10) to the respective checking device (P1, P2, P3).

5. Arrangement according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the arrangement has, for at least one of the checking devices (P1, P2, P3), as the respective transport interface, a discharge interface (4) or a combined feed and discharge interface (34), which is designed to discharge a valuable-document stack (1), possibly together with a valuable-document receptacle (5) which receives the respective at least one valuable-document stack, from the respective checking device (P1, P2, P3) to the cyclically circulating transport loop (10).

6. Arrangement according to Claim 5, characterized in that the arrangement has at least one transport interface to a further-processing device (W, W1-W2) along the cyclically circulating transport loop (10), the respective further-processing device (W, W1-W2) being connected to the cyclically circulating transport loop (10) by the at least one transport interface, wherein the transport interface (13) of the respective further-processing device is configured to discharge valuable-document stacks (1) which have been checked by one of the checking devices, possibly together with a valuable-document receptacle (5) which receives the respective at least one valuable-document stack, from the cyclically circulating transport loop (10) in order to be able to transport the valuable-document stacks to the respective further-processing device (W, W1-W2).

7. Arrangement according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the arrangement has, for at least one of the checking devices (P1, P2, P3), in each case - both a feed interface (3), via which valuable-document stacks (1), possibly together with a valuable-document receptacle which receives the respective at least one valuable-document stack, can be fed from the cyclically circulating transport loop to the respective checking device (P1, P2, P3), - and also a discharge interface (4), via which valuable-document stacks (1) which have been checked by the respective checking device, possibly together with a valuable-document receptacle which receives the respective at least one valuable-document stack, can be discharged from the respective checking device (P1, P2, P3) to another cyclically circulating transport loop (10'), wherein the at least one checking device (P1, P2, P3) is connected between the cyclically circulating transport loop (10) and the other cyclically circulating transport loop (10') in particular in such a way that valuable documents can be transported from the cyclically circulating transport loop (10) to the respective checking device (P1, P2, P3) by the feed interface and from this checking device to the other cyclically circulating transport loop (10') via the discharge interface.

8. Arrangement according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the arrangement has, for at least one of the checking devices, in each case - both a feed interface (3), via which valuable-document stacks (1), possibly together with a valuable-document receptacle (5) which receives the respective at least one valuable-document stack, can be fed from the cyclically circulating transport loop (10) to the respective checking device (P1, P2, P3), - and also a discharge interface (4), via which valuable-document stacks (1) which have been checked by the respective checking device, possibly together with a valuable-document receptacle (5) which receives the respective at least one valuable-document stack, can be discharged to the same cyclically circulating transport loop (10) from which the valuable-document stacks were fed to the respective checking device (P1, P2, P3).

9. Arrangement according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in at least one of the checking devices, the transport interface (3, 4, 34) has a gripper (30), which is designed to - remove in each case a valuable-document stack (1), possibly together with a valuable-document receptacle (5) which receives the respective at least one valuable-document stack, from the cyclically circulating transport loop (10) and feed the respective valuable-document stack (1) to the respective checking device (P1, P2, P3) and / or - transfer in each case a valuable-document stack (1), possibly together with a valuable-document receptacle (5) which receives the respective at least one valuable-document stack, from the respective checking devices (P1, P2, P3) and feed it to the cyclically circulating transport loop (10).

10. Arrangement according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the arrangement for at least one of the checking devices in each case has a combined feed and discharge interface (34), which is configured to transport valuable-document stacks (1), possibly each together with a valuable-document receptacle (5) which receives the respective at least one valuable-document stack, both from the cyclically circulating transport loop (10) to the respective checking device (P1, P2, P3) and from the respective checking device (P1, P2, P3) to the cyclically circulating transport loop (10).

11. Arrangement according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in at least one of the checking devices (P1, P2, P3), the respective transport interface (3, 4, 34) of the respective checking device is configured to transport a valuable-document receptacle (5), together with at least one valuable-document stack (1) received by this valuable-document receptacle, continuously from the cyclically circulating transport loop (10), via the transport interface (3, 34), to the respective checking device and / or continuously from the respective checking device, via the transport interface (4, 34), to the cyclically circulating transport loop (1).

12. Arrangement according to at least one of Claims 5 and 10, characterized in that, in at least one of the checking devices, the discharge interface (4) or the combined feed and discharge interface (34) of the checking device (P1, P2, P3) has an opening (15), which is connected to the transport device (9) of the cyclically circulating transport loop (10) in such a way that one or more valuable-document receptacles, each with at least one valuable-document stack (1) received therein, can be continuously transported from the checking device (P1, P2, P3), via the opening (15), into the cyclically circulating transport loop (10).

13. Arrangement according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cyclically circulating transport loop (10) has at least two transport sections (40, 50) which are directed in opposite directions to each other, in which the valuable-document receptacles (5) can be transported in opposite directions to each other and which run parallel to each other, wherein the two parallel, oppositely directed transport sections (40, 50) of the cyclically circulating transport loop (10) are preferably arranged one beneath the other or next to each other, wherein at least one first transport interface (3, 4, 34, 13, 14) is present along at least one of the two parallel, oppositely directed transport sections (40, 50), in particular a transport interface (3, 4, 34) of one of the checking devices and / or a transport interface (13) of one of the further-processing devices (W, W1-W2) and / or a transport interface (14) of one of the preparation stations (E, E1-E8), wherein the first transport interface is designed to transport a valuable-document stack, possibly together with a valuable-document receptacle which receives the respective at least one valuable-document stack, - via the respective first transport interface (3, 4, 34, 13, 14) from the cyclically circulating transport loop (10) to the respective checking device or further-processing device and / or - via the respective first transport interface (3, 4, 34, 13, 14) from the respective checking device or further-processing device or preparation station to the cyclically circulating transport loop (10).

14. Arrangement according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transport device has, along the cyclically circulating transport loop (10), at least one transport interface, in particular a branch (23), to a bypass transport path (20, 21) for the valuable-document receptacles (5), which bypass transport path leads away from the cyclically circulating transport loop (10) to a further-processing device (W, W1-W2) and / or to another cyclically circulating transport loop (10'), wherein in particular - valuable-document stacks (1), together with the valuable-document receptacle (5), which receives the respective valuable-document stack (1), can be transported from the cyclically circulating transport loop (10), via the bypass transport path (20), to a further-processing device (W, W1-W2) and / or to the other cyclically circulating transport loop (10), without the respective valuable-document stack being checked by one of the checking devices (P1, P2, P3), or - valuable-document receptacles (5) without valuable-document stacks (1) received therein can be transported from the other cyclically circulating transport loop (10'), via the bypass transport path (21), to the cyclically circulating transport loop (10).

15. Method for processing valuable documents using two or more checking devices (P1, P2, P3) for checking valuable documents and using a transport device (9), to which the respective checking device is connected via at least one transport interface (3, 4, 34) in each case, wherein in the method - the transport device (9) transports a plurality of valuable-document receptacles (5), in each of which at least one valuable-document stack (1) is received, along a circulation direction, and - the respective transport interface (3, 4, 34) transports the valuable-document stacks (1), possibly together with a valuable-document receptacle (5) which receives the respective at least one valuable-document stack, from the transport device (9) to the respective checking device (P1, P2, P3) and / or from the respective checking device (P1, P2, P3) to the transport device (9), - wherein the transport device (9) forms a cyclically circulating transport loop (10) for the valuable-document receptacles (5), the cyclically circulating transport loop being closed in such a way that the valuable-document receptacles located in the cyclically circulating transport loop can pass through this transport loop several times in the same circulation direction, and the respective checking device (P1, P2, P3) is connected to the cyclically circulating transport loop (10) by the respective transport interface, and - the respective transport interface (3, 4, 34) transports the respective valuable-document stack (1), possibly together with a valuable-document receptacle (5) which receives the respective at least one valuable-document stack, from the cyclically circulating transport loop (10) to the respective checking device (P1, P2, P3) and / or from the respective checking device (P1, P2, P3) to the cyclically circulating transport loop (10), characterized in that valuable-document stacks which are transported in the transport device (9) are selectively fed to one or the other of the at least two checking devices (P1, P2), in particular depending on a utilization of at least one of the at least two checking devices, and the valuable-document stacks are exchanged as required at a variable time between the cyclically circulating transport loop and the respective checking device or vice versa, wherein in the method the valuable-document stacks (1) or valuable-document receptacle (5) are / is transported in accordance with one or more of Claims 1-14 in particular using the arrangement according to one or more of Claims 1-14.