ATM Banknote Cassette Merging Multiple Denominations

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Solution Overview

Problem

Automatic teller machines (ATMs) face challenges in achieving a compact and cost-effective design for handling multiple banknote denominations due to the need for numerous cash cassettes, which complicates the storage and payout process, increasing costs and reducing efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a device with multiple banknote acceptance units that sort and store banknotes by denomination, using a transport system to direct banknotes to specific acceptors, and incorporating memory elements for inventory management, allowing for mixed storage and efficient handling of multiple denominations without the need for type-specific storage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If single-denomination storage is used for each cash cassette, then banknotes can be easily stored and dispensed, but the number of cash cassettes required increases significantly, leading to high device complexity and cost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebanknote storage and dispensingVSAvoidnumber of cash cassettes
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple cash cassettes into a single cash cassette that can store banknotes of different denominations. The cash cassette includes a storage area that accommodates banknotes of various sizes, and a transport unit that can selectively transport banknotes of different denominations to the output unit. This merging reduces the number of separate cash cassettes from multiple to just one, significantly reducing device complexity while maintaining the ability to store and dispense multiple denominations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cash cassette is designed with multi-functionality to handle banknotes of different denominations. The storage area is configured to receive and store banknotes of various sizes, and the transport unit is equipped to selectively transport banknotes of different denominations. This universal design allows a single cash cassette to perform the functions previously requiring multiple separate cassettes, reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Quantity of substance

If multiple cash cassettes are provided for different denominations, then each denomination can be stored separately, but the device size and cost increase due to the large number of components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebanknote storage capacityVSAvoiddevice size
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple cash cassettes into a single compact cash cassette that can store banknotes of different denominations. The storage area is designed to accommodate banknotes of various sizes, and the transport unit selectively transports banknotes to the output unit. This consolidation reduces the device size significantly compared to having separate cassettes for each denomination, while maintaining adequate storage capacity for multiple denominations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If banknotes of different denominations are stored together in a single cassette, then the number of cassettes is reduced, but the payout process becomes more complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of cash cassettesVSAvoidpayout speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The transport unit is designed to be dynamic and selective, capable of transporting banknotes of different denominations to the output unit based on real-time needs. The control unit coordinates the transport unit to retrieve and deliver specific denominations efficiently, optimizing the payout process despite having mixed denominations in storage. This dynamic approach maintains high productivity while using a single cash cassette.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Device complexity

If a single cash cassette stores multiple denominations, then device costs are reduced, but inventory management becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of cash cassettesVSAvoidinventory management
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit incorporates feedback mechanisms to monitor and manage inventory levels of different banknote denominations within the single cash cassette. The control unit tracks the quantity and status of banknotes of various denominations, enabling effective inventory management and coordination of the transport unit for selective delivery, thus resolving the complexity of managing multiple denominations in one cassette.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2384497B1Device and method for the payment and/or withdrawal of banknotes
Publication Date: 2020.07.29 WINCOR NIXDORF INT GMBH
  • EP2384497B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2384497B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2384497B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a device (8) for the payment and/or withdrawal of at least banknotes (13) having a first face value and of banknotes (13) having a second face value, comprising at least one input and/or output unit (22) for inputting the banknotes (13) to be paid into and/or for outputting the banknotes (13) to be withdrawn. The device (8) further comprises a reading unit (26) which can be used to determine at least the face value of every banknote (13) to be paid into or withdrawn. At least one banknote receiving unit (12a to 12d) receives the banknotes (13). The device (8) further comprises at last one transport unit for transporting the banknotes (13) between the input and the output unit (22) and the banknote receiving unit (12a to 12d), the transport unit feeding only banknotes (13) having the first face value and banknotes (13) having the second face value to the banknote receiving unit (12a to 12d).