System and method for processing documents of value, in particular banknotes

Abstract

The invention relates to a system and to a method for processing documents of value, in particular banknotes. The system has: at least one processing device (10) which is designed to process, in particular to separate, to convey and / or to check, documents of value at a specifiable processing rate (R) and to feed said documents of value to in each case one of at least two banding devices (23, 33); at least two banding devices (23, 33) which are designed to provide at least one stack, which is formed by the documents of value respectively fed to a banding device (23, 33), with a band (B), wherein the banding devices (23, 33) are each characterized by a maximum banding rate (Blmax, B2max) which specifies the maximum number of documents of value that can be banded in the respective banding device (23, 33) per unit time; and a control device (15) for specifying the processing rate (R) based on i) the maximum banding rates (Blmax, B2max) of the banding devices (23, 33) and ii) at least one frequency parameter which characterizes a statistical frequency with which the documents of value can be distributed between the banding devices (23, 33).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a system and a method for processing value documents, in particular banknotes.

[0002] During mechanical processing of banknotes, they are checked in a banknote processing device and sorted based on the check result by being dispensed into different output or stacker compartments and stacked. The stacked banknotes are then usually banded. The banding devices used for this purpose, which are also known as banding machines or banding modules, can, depending on their design, only band a certain maximum number of stacks or banknotes per unit of time. This limits the total throughput of banknotes processed—i.e., checked, sorted, and banded—in the processing device per unit of time.

[0003] Banknote processing devices with banding devices are known, for example, from EP3664050 A1 and DE10049435A1. It is an object of the invention to provide a system and a method for processing value documents, in particular banknotes, with increased throughput. This object is achieved by a system and a method according to the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0004] A system for processing value documents, in particular banknotes, according to a first aspect of the invention comprises: at least one processing device configured to process value documents at a predeterminable or predetermined processing rate (R), in particular to separate, convey, and / or check them, and, in particular based on at least one sorting criterion, to feed each value document to one of at least two banding devices; at least two banding devices configured to band at least one stack formed by the value documents fed to a banding device, wherein the banding devices are each controlled by a maximum banding rate (B1max, B2max, ...)) which indicates the maximum number of value documents that can be banded in the respective banding device per unit of time; and a control device for specifying the processing rate (R) based on the maximum banding rates (B1max, B2max, ...) of the banding devices and ii) at least one frequency parameter (h1, h2, ...) which characterizes an expected and / or assumed statistical frequency with which the value documents are distributed among the banding devices, in particular on the basis of the at least one sorting criterion.

[0005] In a method for processing value documents, in particular banknotes, according to a second aspect of the invention, value documents are processed, in particular separated, conveyed, and / or checked, in at least one processing device at a predeterminable or predetermined processing rate (R), and, in particular based on at least one sorting criterion, are each fed to one of at least two banding devices. The value documents fed to the banding devices each form at least one stack, which is provided with a band, wherein the banding devices are each characterized by a maximum banding rate (B1max, B2max, ...), which specifies the maximum number of value documents that can be banded in the respective banding device per unit of time. The processing rate (R) is determined based on i) the maximum banding rates (B1max, B2max, ...)) of the banding devices and ii) at least one frequency parameter (h1, h2, ...) which characterises an expected and / or assumed statistical frequency with which the value documents are distributed among the banding devices, in particular on the basis of the at least one sorting criterion.

[0006] A computer program product according to a third aspect of the invention comprises instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method according to the second aspect of the invention.

[0007] A computer-readable storage medium according to a fourth aspect of the invention comprises instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method according to the second aspect of the invention.

[0008] Aspects of the invention are preferably based on the approach of specifying or setting the processing rate at which the value documents are processed in the processing device, taking into account the maximum banding rates of the banding devices and an expected or assumed statistical distribution of the value documents to the output compartments or banding devices, in particular depending on the sorting criterion.

[0009] The respective maximum banding rates (B1max, B2max, ...) of the banding devices are specified, for example, in the unit "valuable documents per minute" or "valuable documents per second" and are preferably stored in advance in a storage device from which they can be retrieved by the control device. Alternatively or additionally, a user interface can also be provided via which the respective maximum banding rates can be entered or specified by a user.

[0010] Preferably, the frequency parameters (h1, h2, ...) to be expected or assumed for the respective sorting criterion are standardized to 1 or 100% and indicate the expected or assumed statistical frequency in the value range between 0 and 1 or 0% and 100% with which the value documents are distributed to the respective output compartments or banding devices.

[0011] The respectively expected or assumed statistical distribution of the value documents across the output compartments and / or the corresponding frequency parameters can be based, for example, on empirical values ​​and / or statistical distributions of the value documents obtained during previous processing of value document batches that are similar or comparable with regard to the respective sorting criterion (such as fitness or denomination) in the same processing device and / or other processing devices for this sorting criterion.

[0012] If, for example, a batch of valuable documents is to be sorted with regard to fitness, a frequency parameter (h1) of, for example, 0.7 or 70% can be assumed for the first output compartment into which valuable documents classified as "fit" are output, and a frequency parameter (h2) of, for example, 0.3 or 30% can be assumed for the second output compartment into which valuable documents classified as "unfit" are output, if in one or more previous processing operations of valuable document batches with similar or comparable fitness, an average of 70% of the valuable documents were output to the first output compartment ("fit") and 30% of the valuable documents were output to the second output compartment ("unfit").

[0013] However, the minimum frequency parameter used to determine or specify the processing rate of the processing device does not necessarily have to be based on a more or less precise statistical evaluation of previous processing operations, but can simply be based on an assumption of the expected statistical frequency with which the valuable documents are likely to be distributed among the output compartments in the batch currently being processed. Such an assumption can be made, for example, by an operator, for example, based on empirical values ​​and / or statistical distributions obtained during previous processing operations in a fitness sort.

[0014] Alternatively, it is also possible to specify the distribution of the processed banknotes among the output compartments or banding devices, for example, by controlling the system so that the checked banknotes are alternately fed to a first and second banding device, without taking any sorting criteria into account. Accordingly, in this case, a statistical distribution of the banknotes between the first and second banding devices of 50% each (h1 = h2 = 0.5) is assumed. The assumption or specification of such a statistical distribution applies, for example, in cases where the banknotes to be processed are merely to be counted and / or registered, without sorting in the narrower sense, for example, with regard to fitness and / or denomination.

[0015] Taking into account the expected or assumed statistical frequency distribution for a sorting criterion, a processing rate (R) can be specified, which is generally higher than the maximum banding rates (B1max, B2max, ...) of the respective banding devices. For example, if the maximum banding rate is the same for both banding devices and amounts to 1,000 valuable documents per minute, the frequency parameter with the highest value, in the above-mentioned example, 0.7 or 0.8, is used.70%, a processing rate is specified which, on the one hand, is higher than the maximum banding rate (1,000 valuable documents per minute) and, on the other hand, is calculated such that the maximum banding rate of the banding device assigned to the respective output compartment (in the above-mentioned example, the first output compartment for valuable documents classified as "fit") is not exceeded, possibly including a safety margin or a so-called confidence interval. In the context of the present disclosure, the terms "safety margin" and "confidence interval" are used synonymously.

[0016] In the example mentioned above, for example, a processing rate of 1200 or 1300 valuable documents per minute can be specified, at which banding must then take place in the first output compartment at a rate of 1200 x 0.7 = 840 valuable documents per minute or 1300 x 0.7 = 910 valuable documents per minute (i.e., below the maximum banding rate of 1000 valuable documents per minute) in order to avoid a backlog of valuable documents and to ensure continuous processing of the valuable documents. When specifying a processing rate of 1200 or 1300 valuable documents per minute, a safety margin or confidence interval of (1000 - 840) = 160 or (1000 - 910) = 90 valuable documents per minute is maintained relative to the maximum banding rate of 1000 valuable documents per minute.

[0017] Preferably, the size of this safety margin or confidence interval is chosen depending on the reliability or accuracy of the expected statistical distribution of the valuable documents. If the statistical distribution of 70% or 30% assumed in this example is based on the prior processing of a large number of valuable document batches, its reliability or accuracy can be classified as high, so that by specifying a processing rate of 1200 or 1300 valuable documents per minute, a sufficiently large safety margin from the maximum banding rate is maintained. If, on the other hand, the assumed statistical distribution is based on a mere assumption or rough estimate, a correspondingly larger safety margin of (1000 - (1100 × 0.7)) = 230 valuable documents per minute can be set by specifying a somewhat lower processing rate, for example, 1100 valuable documents per minute.

[0018] Based on the maximum banding rate of 1000 valuable documents per minute, a throughput increase of 10%, 20% or 30% is achieved by processing valuable documents at a specified rate of 1100, 1200 or 1300 valuable documents per minute.

[0019] Overall, the invention thus increases the throughput in the processing of value documents, in particular banknotes.

[0020] Preferably, the processing rate (R) specified by the control device is greater than the maximum banding rate (B1max, B2max...) of at least one of the banding devices. This always results in an increase in throughput relative to the maximum banding rate of the respective banding device. Depending on the expected or specified distribution of the value documents among the banding devices, a processing rate can even be specified up to a maximum possible processing rate of the system. The maximum possible processing rate of the system can be determined, for example, by a maximum singulation rate of a singulator provided for singulating the value documents provided in the form of a stack.

[0021] In order to avoid a jam of value documents in the respective banding devices in the embodiment described above and to ensure continuous operation, it can preferably be provided to record and / or determine the respective current banding rate, which characterizes the number of value documents banded in at least one of the banding devices per unit of time, and to control the system and / or the processing of the value documents depending on a deviation of the current banding rate of the respective banding device from the respective maximum banding rate of this banding device.For example, in the event of an impending jam of valuable documents in one of the banding devices determined in this way, the system can be controlled so that valuable documents that should be fed to the relevant banding device based on the at least one sorting criterion, for example, fitness, for example, at the output compartment for valuable documents classified as "fit," are instead fed to a stacker device, in particular a surplus stacker or reject stacker. These separately output valuable documents can then be fed back into the system for processing and sorting, for example, by being inserted into the singulator.

[0022] Preferably, the control device for specifying the processing rate is additionally based on at least one confidence parameter (K), which characterizes the reliability and / or accuracy of the expected statistical frequency with which the value documents are distributed among the banding devices. The confidence parameter (K) can, for example, be a factor between 0 and 1 (e.g. 0 = no reliability, 1 = highest reliability or vice versa), which characterizes the relative safety margin. Alternatively, the confidence parameter (K) can also specify the absolute safety margin, for example in value documents per minute. By specifying or selecting the confidence parameter (K), the size of the safety margin between the statistically expected or required banding rate (R x h1 or R x h2) and the maximum banding rate (B1max orB2max) can be set in the respective banding device in a simple and reliable manner.

[0023] Alternatively or in addition to the separate output of valuable documents in the event of an impending jam as described above, it is also possible to limit the specified processing rate by means of an upper processing rate or reduced processing rate as described in more detail below in order to reliably avoid a jam of valuable documents in one of the banding devices and to maintain continuous operation when processing the valuable documents.

[0024] Preferably, the processing rate specified by the control device is lower than at least one upper processing rate (B1max / h1, B2max / h2, ...), which corresponds in each case to the quotient of the maximum banding rate (B1max, B2max, ...) of one of the banding devices and the frequency parameter (h1, h2, ...), which characterizes the expected statistical frequency with which the value documents are distributed to this banding device. Preferably, the specified processing rate is lower than all upper processing rates or the specified processing rate is lower than the smallest of the calculated upper processing rates. In the example described above, with a maximum banding rate of 1000 value documents per minute and a statistical frequency of distribution of the value documents to the two banding devices of 70% and 30%, respectively, the upper processing rate is 1000 / 0.7 = 1429 or1000 / 0.3 = 3333 valuable documents per minute. In this example, a processing rate (R) is specified that is always lower, preferably significantly lower, than 1429 valuable documents per minute. This makes it easy to ensure that the statistically expected or required banding rate in the respective banding device is always lower, preferably significantly lower, than the maximum banding rate. This prevents a backlog of valuable documents in the respective banding devices despite increasing the overall throughput during processing of valuable documents, thus enabling continuous operation.

[0025] Preferably, the control device is configured to predefine a processing rate (R) which is at most as large (i.e., less than or equal to) at least one reduced processing rate corresponding to the upper processing rate (B1max / h1, B2max / h2) reduced on the basis of the at least one confidence parameter (K). If the confidence parameter (K) is, for example, a factor between 0 and 1 (0 < K < 1), the respective reduced processing rate is calculated as follows: (B1max / h1)×K or (B2max / h2)×K. The following then applies to the predetermine processing rate (R): R ≤ (B1max / h1)×K and R ≤ (B2max / h2)×K. Analogous to the exemplary embodiment described above, in the present preferred embodiment the predetermine processing rate is preferably less than or equal to the smallest of the upper processing rates reduced by means of the confidence parameter.If, for example, a value of 0.84 is assumed for the confidence parameter (K), then in the example described above (maximum banding rate of 1,000 valuable documents per minute, statistical frequency 70% or 30%), the reduced upper processing rate decisive for specifying the processing rate is (1,000 / 0.7) x 0.84 = 1,200 valuable documents per minute. Depending on the reliability or accuracy of the assumed or expected statistical frequency when distributing the valuable documents to the banding devices, the confidence parameter (K) can of course also assume smaller or larger values, such as 0.7, 0.75 or 0.8 or 0.9 or 0.95. This way, despite an increase in the overall throughput during processing of the valuable documents, a backlog of valuable documents in the respective banding devices can be avoided, thus ensuring continuous operation with a particularly high level of reliability.

[0026] Preferably, a user interface can also be provided which is designed to enable a user to specify the at least one sorting criterion and / or the respective maximum banding rate and / or the at least one frequency parameter and / or the at least one confidence parameter. The user interface can, for example, have a keyboard, a touchscreen and / or selection buttons via which the desired value of one or more of the aforementioned parameters can be selected and specified. Alternatively or additionally, the user interface can also be designed to input the relevant values ​​using voice or voice control. The parameters required to determine or specify the processing rate can thus be entered or specified quickly and easily.so that the processing rate can be reliably and quickly adapted to the batch of valuable documents to be processed and the statistical distribution of the valuable documents to be expected across the respective output compartments depending on the sorting criteria, in order to ensure the most continuous operation possible during processing.

[0027] Alternatively or additionally, a user interface can be provided which is configured to enable a user to change the processing rate specified by the control device. The user interface can, for example, have a keyboard, a touchscreen, and / or selection buttons via which the processing rate can be changed, in particular increased or decreased. In a particularly simple configuration, for example, two buttons, "speed up" or "accelerate" and "speed down" or "slow down," can be provided, the actuation of which increases or decreases the initially determined or specified processing rate. Alternatively or additionally, the user interface can also be configured to enable a change in the processing rate by means of voice input or voice control.This allows the specified processing rate to be further optimized by an operator in order to achieve an even higher overall throughput on the one hand and to prevent a jam of valuable documents in the output compartments or banding devices on the other.

[0028] Preferably, at least one storage device is provided in which the maximum banding rates, which characterize the banding devices, are stored. Since the maximum banding rates of the banding device generally do not change or do not change significantly, they can be easily retrieved from the storage device by the control device and taken into account when determining the processing rate, without the need for an operator to specify the maximum banding rates. This makes the determination and specification of the processing rate particularly fast and, since errors when entering the maximum banding rates by an operator can be ruled out, reliable.

[0029] Preferably, the control device is configured to detect and / or determine at least one current banding rate (B1 to B4), which characterizes the number of value documents banded in at least one of the banding devices per unit of time, and to control the system and / or the processing of the value documents as a function of a deviation of the current banding rate (B1 to B4) of the banding device in question from the respective maximum banding rate (B1max or B2max) of this banding device. For example, the deviation (e.g. B1max - B1 or B2max - B2) of the detected current banding rate from the respective maximum banding rate can be compared with a predetermined safety margin or confidence interval. If the deviation is smaller than the safety margin orthe confidence interval, for example, the specified processing rate can be reduced to reliably prevent a security document jam in one of the banding devices or to continue to reliably ensure continuous processing of the security documents. If, however, the deviation is greater than the safety margin or the confidence interval, the currently specified processing rate is maintained or, if the deviation is relatively large, slightly increased. This enables continuous processing of the security documents with a high throughput in a particularly reliable manner.

[0030] Preferably, the control device is configured to initiate certain measures in the event that the deviation of the current banding rate of the banding device in question from the maximum banding rate of this banding device falls below a predetermined deviation value and / or decreases over time, ie the current banding rate approaches the maximum banding rate, in order to reliably maintain continuous operation during the processing of the value documents and / or to avoid a value document jam in the output compartments or banding devices.For example, in this case, the system is controlled so that valuable documents that are to be fed to the relevant banding device based on the at least one sorting criterion, for example, fitness, for example, at the output compartment for valuable documents classified as "fit," are instead fed to a stacker device, in particular a surplus stacker or reject stacker. Alternatively or additionally, the processing of the valuable documents can also be stopped, at least temporarily. In this case, in particular, only the separation, verification, and output of the valuable documents to the output compartments is stopped, whereas the banding in the relevant banding device continues in order to prevent an impending valuable document jam in the relevant banding device in advance.Alternatively or additionally, a processing rate reduced from the currently specified processing rate can be specified and / or a transport speed reduced from the current transport speed at which the valuable documents are transported during the current processing, in particular during or after separation, verification, and output. Preferably, in this case, the banding of the valuable documents continues in the relevant banding device, so that an impending valuable document jam in the banding device can be reliably prevented.

[0031] Further advantages, features, and possible applications of the present invention will become apparent from the following description in conjunction with the figures. They show: Fig. 1 shows an example of a system for processing valuable documents; Fig. 2 shows a first application example of a system for processing valuable documents; Fig. 3 shows a second application example of a system for processing valuable documents; and Fig. 4 shows a third application example of a system for processing valuable documents.

[0032] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an example of a system for processing valuable documents, which is explained in more detail below using the example of processing banknotes.

[0033] In the present example, the system comprises a base module 10, a first module 20, and a second module 30. The base module 10 comprises a so-called singulator 11, which is configured to individually remove the banknotes input in the form of a stack 12 from the stack 12 and feed them to a transport path 13.

[0034] During their transport, the banknotes pass one or more sensors 14, which detect one or more properties of the banknotes, for example, optical, acoustic, and / or magnetic, and convert them into corresponding sensor signals. The sensor signals are evaluated in a control device 15 and used to check and / or classify and / or identify the banknotes.

[0035] Depending on the result of the checking or classification, the banknotes are sorted by being fed to different output compartments 16, 21, 22, 31, 32. In the present example, the system has a so-called reject compartment 16, into which banknotes are dispensed that could not be checked, classified or identified, or could not be reliably checked, classified or identified, for example due to dog-ears, soiling and / or tears and that must be reprocessed, in particular manually. Furthermore, the first module 20 has two stacker compartments 21 and 22, into which banknotes are dispensed and stacked that belong to a class assigned to the first module 20 or that meet or do not meet a specific sorting criterion. In the present example, the second module 30 also has two stacker compartments 31 and 32, into which banknotes are dispensed and stacked that belong to a class assigned to the second module 30 or that meet or do not meet a specific sorting criterion.meet or fail to meet a sorting criterion.

[0036] The first and second modules 20 and 30 each further comprise a bander 23 and 33, respectively, which is configured to provide the stacks of banknotes formed in the stacker compartments 21 and 22, or 31 and 32, with a banderol B. The modules 20, 30 are preferably configured such that only stacks with a specific, preferably predeterminable, number of, for example, 100 banknotes are provided with a banderol B.

[0037] In this example, the two stacker compartments 21 and 22, or 31 and 32, of the respective module 20 or 30 are each assigned a bander 23 or 33. Bander 23 or 33 is therefore also referred to as a shared bander, and the two stacker compartments 21 and 22, or 31 and 32, are referred to as tandem stackers. The tandem stackers 21, 22 and 31, 32 in the first and second modules 20 and 30 respectively have an effect similar to that of a high-pass filter in electronic signal or image processing: as long as the time required to reach the predetermined number, for example 100, of banknotes in the respective stacker compartment 21, 22 and 31, 32 respectively is not shorter than the time required by the respective bander 23 and 33 respectively (so-called cycle time) for banding a stack, further banknotes can be picked up by the stacker compartments 21, 22 and 31, 32 respectively.If, however, so many banknotes are dispensed into one of the modules 20, 30 that the time required to reach the specified number of banknotes in the stacker compartments is shorter than the cycle time of the respective bander 23 or 33, then from a certain point in time onwards no further banknotes can be taken into the respective module 20, 30.

[0038] Alternatively, a separate banding device (not shown) can be provided for each of the stacker compartments 21 and 22 or 31 and 32, or only one stacker compartment 21 or 22 or 31 or 32 and one banding device 23 or 33 can be provided per module 20, 30.

[0039] Depending on the design and / or intended use of the system, one or more further modules may be provided in addition to the two modules 20 and 30 shown as examples, as indicated by the dashed arrow.

[0040] The base module 10 is configured to process the individual banknotes of the stack 12 at a predeterminable or adjustable processing rate R (banknotes per minute), i.e., in particular, to separate, convey, and check them, and to feed them to one of the two modules 20, 30 or to the reject compartment 16. The banknotes fed to the modules 20, 30 are banded there at a banding rate B1 or B2 (banknotes per minute). Taking into account the rejection rate Z (so-called reject rate) of the banknotes dispensed into the reject compartment 16 per unit of time, the following continuity equation applies: R = B1 + B2 + Z.

[0041] The maximum number of banknotes that can be banded in a module 20, 30 or by the respective bander 23 or 33 per unit of time is determined by technical reasons or by the design of the respective module 20, 30 and / or bander 23 or 33 and is characterized by a maximum banding rate B1max or B2max (banknotes per minute).

[0042] According to a particularly preferred aspect of the present disclosure, the predetermined processing rate R of the banknotes in the base module 10 is greater than the maximum banding rates B1max and B2max of the modules 20, 30. The determination or specification of the processing rate R is preferably carried out taking into account the maximum banding rates B1max, B2max and an expected or assumed statistical distribution of the banknotes between the two modules 20, 30 based on at least one sorting criterion. The expected or assumed statistical distribution is preferably characterized by at least one frequency parameter.

[0043] Optionally, a measure of the reliability of the assumed statistical distribution can also be taken into account, in particular in the form of a confidence parameter and / or confidence interval.

[0044] Optionally, measures can also be provided by means of which deviations from the assumed statistical distribution of the banknotes across modules 20, 30 can be reacted to when sorting the banknotes of a currently processed batch in order to ensure continuous operation when processing the banknotes.

[0045] The above-mentioned aspects are explained in more detail below using application examples.

[0046] Figure 2 shows a first application example of a system for processing valuable documents. Regarding the structure and functionality of the system, the above explanations apply in connection with the Figure 1 according to the example shown.

[0047] For this and the application examples described below, it is assumed that banknotes can be processed in the base module 10 at a processing rate R of up to 2,000 banknotes per minute. Furthermore, it is assumed that the banders 23, 33 each require a cycle time of 6 seconds to band a stack, which corresponds to 10 stacks per minute. For example, if the number of banknotes intended for each bundle is 100, the maximum banding rate B1max, B2max of the banders 23, 33 corresponds to 10 stacks / minute x 100 banknotes / stack = 1,000 banknotes / minute.

[0048] In this application example, a batch of banknotes is to be checked for fitness (sorting criterion) and sorted accordingly before being fed to the two modules 20 and 30. In this example, the banknotes classified as "unfit" are fed to the first module 20, and the banknotes classified as "fit" are fed to the second module 30. Based on empirical values ​​and / or data obtained during fitness sorting when processing banknote batches in the past, a statistical distribution of banknotes classified as "fit" and "unfit" of 70% (h1 = 0.7) and 30% (h2 = 0.3) respectively is assumed in this application example.

[0049] Taking into account the maximum banding rates B1max, B2max and the expected statistical distribution or the corresponding frequency parameters h1, h2, a processing rate R can now be determined or specified in such a way that, on the one hand, the highest possible total throughput of the processed banknotes is achieved and, on the other hand, continuous operation during the processing of the banknotes is not jeopardized by reaching the maximum banding rates B1max, B2max.

[0050] In the present example, a processing rate R of 1200 banknotes / minute is specified, based on which, taking into account the expected statistical distribution, approximately 360 banknotes / minute must be dispensed and banded in the first module 20 and approximately 840 banknotes / minute in the second module 30. Optionally, a rejection rate Z of, for example, 36 banknotes / minute (corresponding to 3% of the processing rate R) can also be taken into account, so that approximately 349 banknotes / minute must be dispensed and banded in the first module 20 and approximately 815 banknotes / minute in the second module. The banding rates required in each case - in particular for the second module 30, into which 70% of the banknotes are dispensed - are therefore at a sufficient safety margin from the maximum banding rate B1max orB2max of 1000 banknotes / minute, so that even in the event of a deviation from the assumed statistical distribution within certain limits, the respective maximum banding rate B1max, B2max is not reached or exceeded.

[0051] If, for example, a statistical distribution of 75% to 25% deviates from the assumed distribution of 70% to 30% ("fit" to "unfit") for the batch currently being processed, then (optionally taking into account a rejection rate Z of 36 banknotes / minute) 300 (291) banknotes / minute are issued in the first module and 900 (873) banknotes / minute in the second module and banded with a corresponding banding rate, which is still lower than the respective maximum banding rate B1max or B2max of 1000 banknotes / minute.

[0052] Relative to the maximum banding rates B1max, B2max of 1,000 banknotes / minute, the specified processing rate R of 1,200 banknotes / minute is thus 20% higher. Despite the limitations of the processing process due to the given maximum banding rates, a 20% higher overall throughput is achieved when processing banknotes.

[0053] Preferably, a user interface 17 is provided, through which an operator can change the originally specified processing rate R, in particular increase or decrease it. In the simplest case, two buttons (e.g., "speed up" and "speed down") can be provided for this purpose. This allows the processing rate R to be further optimized to achieve the highest possible overall throughput, on the one hand, and to maintain continuous processing of the banknotes, on the other.

[0054] Alternatively or additionally, the control device 15 can be configured to feed banknotes processed in the base module 10 - instead of the modules 20, 30 - to the reject compartment 16 or another stacker compartment (not shown) if in at least one of the modules 20, 30 the currently required banding rate B1, B2 threatens to reach (ie approaches), reaches or exceeds the respective maximum banding rate B1max or B2max.

[0055] Alternatively or additionally, instead of such a "redirection" of processed banknotes, the processing speed of the banknotes in the base module 10 can also be reduced—by means of the control device 15 and / or corresponding input via the user interface 17—for example, by at least temporarily reducing the transport speed at which the banknotes are conveyed during processing in the base module 10. In extreme cases, it can also be provided that the processing of the banknotes in the base module 10 is at least temporarily halted.

[0056] Figure 3 shows a second application example of a system for processing valuable documents. Regarding the structure and functionality of the system, the above explanations apply in connection with the Figures 1 and 2 according to the examples shown.

[0057] In this application example, a batch of €50 banknotes considered "fit" (i.e., only one denomination is included in the batch) is processed. Such a use case can occur, for example, when a cassette located in an ATM and at least partially filled with banknotes (a so-called ATM cassette) is removed from the ATM and returned to a central location, such as a cash center.

[0058] In the present example, the processed banknotes are not sorted in the strict sense, i.e., according to a sorting criterion such as fitness or denomination. Instead, the processed banknotes, e.g., those detected by sensors, counted, and / or identified by their serial numbers, are distributed equally among the two modules 20 and 30, which are used in a kind of "tandem operation." The assumed or specified statistical distribution of the banknotes among the two modules 20 and 30 in this case is therefore 50% each (h1 = h2 = 0.5).

[0059] Analogous to the first application example described above, in the present case, taking into account the maximum banding rates B1max, B2max and the assumed or specified statistical distribution or the corresponding frequency parameters h1, h2, a processing rate R can be determined or specified in such a way that, on the one hand, the highest possible total throughput of the processed banknotes is achieved and, on the other hand, continuous operation during the processing of the banknotes is not jeopardized by reaching or exceeding maximum banding rates in the modules 20, 30.

[0060] In this example, a processing rate R of 1,600 banknotes / minute is specified, based on which, taking into account the assumed or specified statistical distribution, 800 banknotes / minute must be dispensed and banded in the first and second modules 20, 30. Optionally, a rejection rate Z of, for example, 48 banknotes / minute (corresponding to 3% of the processing rate R) can also be taken into account, so that around 776 banknotes / minute must be dispensed and banded in the first and second modules 20, 30. The banding rates required in each case are therefore at a sufficient safety margin from the maximum banding rate B1max or B2max of 1,000 banknotes / minute. The safety margin from the respective maximum banding rate B1max orIn this application case, where the distribution of the processed value documents is fixed, B2max can be correspondingly smaller than in application cases where the specified or assumed distribution of the processed value documents is based on empirical values, estimates or previous evaluations.

[0061] Based on the maximum banding rates B1max, B2max of 1,000 banknotes / minute, the processing rate R specified in this application example of 1,600 banknotes / minute is thus 60% higher. Despite the limitations of the processing process due to the given maximum banding rates, a 60% higher overall throughput is achieved when processing banknotes.

[0062] Analogous to the first application example, this application example also allows an operator to change, in particular increase or decrease, the originally specified processing rate R by making a corresponding input via a user interface 17. In the simplest case, two buttons (e.g., "speed up" and "speed down") can be provided for this purpose. This allows the processing rate R to be further optimized in order to achieve the highest possible overall throughput, while maintaining continuous processing of the banknotes.The control device 15 can also be configured to feed banknotes processed in the base module 10—instead of the modules 20, 30—to the reject compartment 16 or another stacker compartment (not shown) if, for unforeseeable reasons, the currently required banding rate B1, B2 in at least one of the modules 20, 30 threatens to reach (i.e., approaches), reaches, or exceeds the respective maximum banding rate B1max or B2max. Instead of such a "redirection" of processed banknotes—by means of the control device 15 and / or corresponding input via the user interface 17—the speed of processing the banknotes in the base module 10 can be reduced, for example, by at least temporarily reducing the transport speed at which the banknotes are conveyed during processing in the base module 10.In extreme cases, it may also be provided that the processing of banknotes in the base module 10 is stopped at least temporarily.

[0063] Figure 4 shows a third application example of a system for processing valuable documents. Regarding the structure and functionality of the system, the above explanations apply in connection with the Figures 1 to 3 according to the examples shown.

[0064] In this application example, a batch of banknotes with four different denominations is processed: €5, €10, €20, and €50. Accordingly, in addition to a first and second module (20 and 30), the system also has a third and fourth module (40 and 50), which are identical or at least essentially identical to the first and second modules (20 and 30) in terms of structure and functionality.

[0065] Based on empirical values ​​and / or data obtained during denomination sorting during the processing of banknote batches in the past, the following statistical distribution of the banknotes contained in the batch to be processed is assumed in this application example: 20% (€5), 20% (€10), 30% (€20), and 30% (€50). The corresponding statistical frequency (frequency parameter) is thus h1 = h2 = 0.2 for €5 and €10 banknotes, and h3 = h4 = 0.3 for €20 and €50 banknotes.

[0066] In the present example, a processing rate R of 2000 banknotes / minute is specified, which corresponds to the maximum achievable processing rate of the base module 10.

[0067] Taking into account the expected statistical distribution (and optionally a rejection rate Z of, for example, 60 banknotes / minute, corresponding to 3% of the processing rate R), the following number of banknotes / minute is dispensed to modules 20, 30, 40 and 50 and banded there: 400 (388) banknotes / minute in each of the first and second modules 20, 30 and 600 (582) banknotes / minute in each of the third and fourth modules 40.

[0068] The required banding rates for all banders 23, 33, 43, and 53 are therefore significantly below the respective maximum banding rates B1max, B2max, B3max, and B4max of 1,000 banknotes / minute. This ensures that even in the event of a comparatively large deviation from the assumed distribution in the statistical distribution resulting from the processing of a batch, the respective maximum banding rates B1max, B2max, B3max, and B4max are not reached or exceeded. Relative to the respective maximum banding rate of 1,000 banknotes / minute in each of modules 20, 30, 40, and 50, a throughput increase of 100% is achieved by processing valuable documents at a specified rate R of 2,000 banknotes / minute.Overall, this achieves a high overall throughput of processed banknotes on the one hand, and reliably ensures continuous operation during banknote processing on the other.

[0069] Analogous to the first and / or second application example described above, the present application example can also provide for an operator to be able to change the originally specified processing rate R by making a corresponding input via a user interface 17. Starting from the originally specified maximum possible processing rate R of 2000 banknotes / minute, in this example only a reduction in the processing rate R, for example to 1900 or 1800 banknotes / minute, is initially considered. As processing progresses, it may be necessary or advantageous to increase the processing rate R again slightly by means of a corresponding user input, for example to 1950 or 2000 banknotes / minute. In this way, the processing rate R can be further optimized in order to achieve the highest possible overall throughput on the one hand and to maintain continuous processing of the banknotes on the other.The control device 15 can also be configured to feed banknotes processed in the base module 10—instead of modules 20, 30, 40, and 50—to the reject compartment 16 or another stacker compartment (not shown) if, in at least one of the modules 20, 30, 40, and 50, the currently required banding rate B1 to B4 threatens to reach (i.e., approaches), reaches, or exceeds the respective maximum banding rate B1max, B2max, B3max, or B4max. Instead of such a "redirection" of processed banknotes—by means of the control device 15 and / or corresponding input via the user interface 17—the processing speed of the banknotes in the base module 10 can be reduced, for example, by at least temporarily reducing the transport speed at which the banknotes are conveyed during processing in the base module 10.In extreme cases, it may also be provided that the processing of banknotes in the base module 10 is stopped at least temporarily.

Claims

1. System for processing documents of value, in particular banknotes, having - a processing device (10) that is configured to process documents of value at a specifiable processing rate (R), in particular to separate, transport and / or check them, and to feed them to in each case one of at least two banding devices (23, 33, 43, 53), in particular based on at least one sorting criterion, - at least two banding devices (23, 33, 43, 53) that are configured to provide at least one stack, which is formed by the documents of value each fed to a banding device (23, 33, 43, 53), with a banding (B), wherein the banding devices (23, 33, 43, 53) are characterized by a respective maximum banding rate (Blmax - B4max) that indicates the maximum number of documents of value that are able to be banded in the respective banding device (23, 33, 43, 53) per unit of time, characterized by a control device (15) for specifying the processing rate (R) based on i) the maximum banding rates (Blmax - B4max) of the banding devices (23, 33, 43, 53) and ii) at least one frequency parameter (h1 - h4) that characterizes a statistical frequency to be expected or assumed, in particular on the basis of the at least one sorting criterion, with which the documents of value processed by the processing device (10) are distributed to the banding devices (23, 33, 43, 53).

2. System according to Claim 1, wherein the control device (15) is configured to specify the processing rate (R), this being greater than the maximum banding rate (Blmax - B4max) of at least one of the banding devices (23, 33, 43, 53).

3. System according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the control device (15) is configured to specify the processing rate (R) additionally based on at least one confidence parameter (K) that characterizes an accuracy or reliability of the expected statistical frequency with which the documents of value are distributed to the banding devices (23, 33, 43, 53).

4. System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control device (15) is configured to specify the processing rate (R), this being less than at least one upper processing rate (B1max / h1, B2max / h2) that corresponds to the respective quotient of the maximum banding rate (Blmax - B4max) of one of the banding devices (23, 33, 43, 53) and the frequency parameter (h1 - h4) that characterizes the statistical frequency with which the documents of value are distributed to this banding device (23, 33, 43, 53).

5. System according to Claim 3 and 4, wherein the control device (15) is configured to specify the processing rate (R), this being at most as great as at least one reduced processing rate ((B1max / h1)xK, (B2max / h2)xK, with 0 < K < 1) that corresponds to the upper processing rate (B1max / h1, B2max / h2) reduced based on the at least one confidence parameter (K).

6. System according to one of the preceding claims, having a user interface (17) that is configured to allow a user to specify the at least one sorting criterion and / or the at least one frequency parameter (h1 - h4) and / or the at least one confidence parameter (K).

7. System according to one of the preceding claims, having a user interface (17) that is configured to allow a user to change the processing rate (R) specified by the control device (15).

8. System according to one of the preceding claims, having at least one storage device that stores the maximum banding rates (Blmax - B4max) by which the banding devices (23, 33, 43, 53) are characterized.

9. System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control device (15) is configured to record and / or determine at least one current banding rate (B1 to B4) that characterizes the number of documents of value banded in at least one of the banding devices (23, 33, 43, 53) per unit of time, and to control the system and / or the processing of the documents of value on the basis of a deviation of the current banding rate (B1 to B4) of the banding device (23, 33, 43, 53) in question from the maximum banding rate (Blmax - B4max) of this banding device (23, 33, 43, 53).

10. System according to Claim 9, wherein the control device (15) is configured, in the event that the deviation of the current banding rate (B1 to B4) of the banding device (23, 33, 43, 53) in question from the maximum banding rate (Blmax - B4max) of this banding device (23, 33, 43, 53) falls below a specified deviation value and / or decreases over time, - to control the system such that documents of value that are intended to be fed to the banding device (23, 33, 43, 53) in question, in particular based on the at least one sorting criterion and / or a specified distribution, are instead fed to a stacker device, in particular a surplus stacker or reject stacker (16), and / or - to at least temporarily stop the processing of the documents of value, and / or - to specify a reduced processing rate compared to the currently specified processing rate (R) and / or to specify a reduced transport speed compared to a current transport speed at which the documents of value are transported during the current processing.

11. Method for processing documents of value, in particular banknotes, in which - documents of value are processed in a processing device (10) at a specifiable processing rate (R), in particular separated, transported and / or checked, and fed to in each case one of at least two banding devices (23, 33, 43, 53), in particular based on at least one sorting criterion, and - the documents of value fed to the banding devices (23, 33, 43, 53) each form at least one stack that is provided with a banding (B), wherein the banding devices (23, 33, 43, 53) are characterized by a respective maximum banding rate (Blmax - B4max) that indicates the maximum number of documents of value that are able to be banded in the respective banding device (23, 33, 43, 53) per unit of time, characterized in that - the processing rate (R) is specified based on i) the maximum banding rates (Blmax - B4max) of the banding devices (23, 33, 43, 53) and ii) at least one frequency parameter (h1 - h4) that characterizes a statistical frequency to be expected or assumed, in particular on the basis of the at least one sorting criterion, with which the documents of value processed by the processing device are distributed to the banding devices.

12. Computer program product comprising commands that, when the program is executed by a system according to one of Claims 1 to 10, cause said system to carry out the method according to Claim 11.

13. Computer-readable storage medium comprising commands that, when they are executed by a system according to one of Claims 1 to 10, cause said system to carry out the method according to Claim 11.

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