Virtual Auxiliary Cassette for Accurate Inventory Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for handling notes of value, such as automatic cash registers and ATMs, face challenges in maintaining accurate inventory when cash cassettes are partially changed, as the stock and reject counters are 'lost' during this process, leading to difficulties in determining the inventory of notes in the reject cassette.
Innovation Solution
A virtual auxiliary cassette is created in the software control unit, with its own stock counter, to which the value of the reject counter from a removed cash cassette is assigned, allowing for accurate inventory tracking even when cash cassettes are partially changed without altering the reject cassette.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a partial cash cassette change is performed (removing only some cash cassettes while keeping the reject cassette), then the effort for cassette change is reduced, but the inventory tracking accuracy deteriorates because the reject counter values are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the reject cassette in the software control unit. This virtual auxiliary reject cassette replicates the inventory tracking function of the physical reject cassette, allowing the system to maintain accurate inventory records even when the physical reject cassette remains in the device during partial cash cassette changes. The virtual copy stores the reject counter values that would otherwise be lost.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual auxiliary reject cassette acts as an intermediary between the physical cash cassettes and the inventory tracking system. It mediates the transfer and preservation of reject counter values, ensuring that inventory information is not lost during partial cassette changes while allowing the physical reject cassette to remain in place.
2Measurement precision
If the reject cassette is changed along with all cash cassettes, then inventory tracking accuracy is maintained, but the effort and time for cassette change increases unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
By creating a virtual auxiliary reject cassette in software, the system maintains inventory tracking accuracy without requiring the physical reject cassette to be changed. The virtual copy preserves reject counter values, eliminating the need to physically replace the reject cassette while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables partial cassette changes where only the necessary cash cassettes are replaced rather than changing all cassettes including the reject cassette. This partial action maintains sufficient inventory tracking through the virtual auxiliary reject cassette, reducing the time and effort required for cassette changes.
3Device complexity
If the reject counter value is assigned to the new cash cassette, then inventory tracking is simplified, but accuracy deteriorates when the new cassette has different denomination than the removed cassette
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of assigning reject counter values to physical cash cassettes (which causes denomination mismatches), the patent creates a virtual auxiliary reject cassette that specifically holds these values. This virtual copy accurately tracks reject quantities independent of cash cassette denominations, maintaining measurement precision while keeping the system relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual auxiliary reject cassette serves as an intermediary that properly handles reject counter values without being constrained by cash cassette denominations. It mediates between the physical cassettes and the inventory system, ensuring accurate total stock calculation regardless of denomination changes.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device (10) for handling value documents which comprises an input and output unit (16), a control unit (20), at least one cash box (22 to 28), a reject box (30) and a transport unit for transporting the value documents. There is furthermore an inventory counter (52 to 58) which indicates the current inventory of value documents in the cash box (22 to 28). Upon the occurrence of a failed withdrawal after the removal of at least one value document from the cash box (22 to 28), the value documents of said failed withdrawal are transported to the reject box (30). A reject counter (62 to 68) is allocated to the cash box (22 to 28) which indicates the total count of value documents removed from said cash box (22 to 28) and supplied to the reject box (30), wherein the value of said reject counter (62 to 68) is increased upon the occurrence of a failed withdrawal by the value of the value documents transported to the reject box (30) due to the failed withdrawal. A virtual auxiliary box is created in the software of the control unit (20) wherein the value of an inventory counter (72) of the virtual auxiliary box (70) is increased upon removal of the cash box (22 to 28) from the device (10) by the value of the reject counter (62 to 68) of the removed cash box (22 to 28).