Abstract:
A banknote acceptor and dispenser uses a stacked configuration of the validator the banknote accumulator and dispenser and the banknote cassette. The banknote path is relatively short to avoid bill misalignment by providing the banknote accumulator and dispenser in the intermediary position.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to banknote acceptors and dispensers, and in particular, to such a device for use in association with standalone vending machines. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Automated cashiers for use in association with stores are becoming more common where these devices include a banknote acceptor and dispenser for receiving cash from the customer and providing him with the appropriate change for a transaction. Some of these devices include a supply of depleting banknotes which are provided to the arrangement from time to time by an operator for dispensing of change. In other systems, the arrangement includes a banknote accumulator where banknotes provided for payment by the customer can be temporarily stored in the accumulator for later dispensing as change. These types of arrangements can reduce the frequency of service required to replenish banknotes and/or increase the transaction capabilities of the system. 
   It is a common practice in the vending industry to include a coin dispensing arrangement. It is also known with respect to vending machines to provide an arrangement where coins inserted by a customer are accumulated by the device for dispensing as change for a subsequent transaction. 
   Vending machines are now used for the sale of more expensive product and banknote validators are now commonly associated with vending machines. With these higher prices, the need to improve the performance by dispensing of banknotes as change has increased. 
   The present invention provides a compact banknote acceptor and dispenser which includes a banknote accumulator as well as a banknote cassette. The efficient space utilization renders the system suitable for many existing vending machines. Many of the vending machines have restricted space available for the banknote validating arrangement and the present design effectively utilizes the space on an efficient manner. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A banknote acceptor and dispenser according to the present invention comprises a banknote validator for receiving and validating banknotes, a banknote accumulator and dispenser for temporarily receiving banknotes for dispensing as change for subsequent transactions and a removable banknote cassette. The banknote accumulator and dispenser is located between the banknote validator and the removable banknote cassette. This particular position provides an efficient arrangement for receiving and storing of banknotes and also maintains a relatively short banknote path for providing the banknote to either the banknote accumulator and dispenser or the removable banknote cassette. 
   According to an aspect of the invention, the banknote acceptor and dispenser includes a structural frame that secures the banknote validator and releasably receives the banknote accumulator and the removable banknote cassette. 
   In yet a further aspect of the invention, the banknote acceptor and dispenser includes a reversible banknote drive path which extends between the banknote validator and a first portion of the removable banknote cassette. 
   In yet a further aspect of the invention, the banknote acceptor and dispenser has the reversible banknote path partially defined by an exterior surface of the banknote accumulator and dispenser. 
   According to a further aspect of the invention, the banknote drive path includes an angled transition adjacent the banknote validator and the banknote accumulator and dispenser with this angled transition joining with an offset region to one side of the accumulator. The banknote drive path further includes an additional angled transition joining the offset region and a banknote feed position of the removable banknote cassette. 
   In yet a further aspect of the invention, the banknote accumulator has a back face aligned with a back face of the removable cassette. 
   In yet a further aspect of the invention, the banknote accumulator and dispenser is capable of storing at least 20 banknotes. 
   In yet a further aspect of the invention, the banknote accumulator and dispenser partially defines the reversible banknote drive path on an exterior surface thereof and the exterior surface includes components of a banknote sensor arrangement. 
   In yet a further aspect of the invention, the components of the banknote sensing arrangement includes at least two light prisms at spaced positions along the banknote drive path. 
   In a further aspect of the invention, the reversible banknote drive path includes drive rollers secured in a structural frame that secures the banknote validator and releasably receives the banknote accumulator and the removable banknote cassette. The banknote accumulator and dispenser includes idler rollers in an exterior surface thereof that cooperate with the drive rollers for moving banknotes along the banknote drive path. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a vertical sectional view showing the banknote acceptor and dispenser; 
       FIG. 2  is a vertical sectional view showing the banknote drive path in a position such that the banknote received by the validator will be provided to the banknote cassette; 
       FIG. 3  is a vertical sectional view similar to  FIGS. 1 and 2  with the banknote accumulator actuated to direct a banknote to the accumulator; 
       FIG. 4  is a vertical sectional view showing the banknote accumulator and dispenser in a release position and the removable banknote cassette in a release position; 
       FIG. 5  is a front perspective view of the banknote accumulator and dispenser; 
       FIG. 6  is a rear perspective view of the banknote accumulator and dispenser; 
       FIG. 7  is a vertical side view of the banknote accumulator and dispenser showing the drive trains; 
       FIG. 8  is a vertical side view showing sensors secured on a PCB board; 
       FIG. 9  shows the drive arrangement of the accumulator and dispenser; and 
       FIGS. 10 and 11  are perspective views of the working components of the accumulator and dispenser. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The banknote acceptor and dispenser  2  includes the banknote validator  4  an intermediary banknote accumulator and dispenser  6 , and a removable banknote cassette  8 . These components are held in the structural frame  10 . The banknote validator, the banknote accumulator and dispenser and the removable banknote cassette are in an aligned stacked arrangement to reduce the depth of the banknote acceptor and dispenser. The banknote accumulator and dispenser, as well as the removable banknote cassette are releasably held in the structural frame  10 . 
   The banknote acceptor and dispenser  2  includes the reversible banknote path  12  which connects the banknote inlet/outlet  14  associated with the bezel  15  and directs a banknote to the banknote accumulator and dispenser  6  or the banknote cassette  8  as determined by the device if the banknote is accepted. Basically, the banknote validator accepts or rejects banknotes based on an evaluation carried out in the validator using the sensors  50 . If the banknote is accepted, it will be moved along the banknote path  12  and directed by banknote gate  24  to the banknote accumulator and dispenser  6 , if the gate is in the position of  FIG. 1 , or the banknote will be directed to the banknote cassette  8  if the gate is in the position shown in  FIG. 2 . The roller drive arrangement operates in a consistent manner and it is the banknote gate  24  that determines the final destination of a received banknote. 
   The banknote validator includes a processor and computing arrangement for determining whether a banknote will be accumulated for later dispensing or merely stored in the banknote cassette. Typically, the software is based on a single denomination of banknote being accumulated by a banknote accumulator and dispenser. If a received banknote is of sufficient quality and of the correct denomination, it will typically be accumulated by the accumulator and dispenser  6  unless this device is at a maximum capacity. Typically, the capacity of the banknote accumulator is at least 20 banknotes and it is preferably 30 banknotes or more. The limitation on the number of banknotes to be stored is basically a space requirement and it is desired that the back face  62  of the accumulator is approximately in line with or slightly inwardly of the back face  64  of the banknote cassette  8 . To allow for additional banknotes to be accumulated in device  6 , the banknote path  12  includes an angled transition  12   a  which connects to the inwardly offset portion  12   b  associated with the accumulator  6  and a further angled transition portion  12   c  for connecting with the inlet  66  of the banknote cassette  8 . The angled transition  12   c  provides a banknote to the drive roller  18  and idler roller  20  at the first portion of the removable banknote cassette  8 . The offsetting of the banknote path at  12   b  allows for additional room within a central portion of the banknote accumulator and dispenser  6 . In this way, additional banknotes can be stored on the banknote accumulating drum  26 . The angled transition portion  12   c  connects to the normal slightly offset inlet of a banknote cassette. A banknote pusher arrangement  53  is provided to one side of the banknote cassette. 
   When a banknote is fed to the banknote accumulator and dispenser via the gate  24 , the banknote is wound around the drum  26  and includes opposed separating tapes  28  and  30  either side of the banknote. In this way, banknotes are wound on the drum  26  in a sequential manner and are unwound from the drum in a sequential manner and returned to the banknote path  12 . 
   The banknote path  12  moves a received banknote through the banknote centering mechanism  52  provided in the banknote validator  4 . It subsequently moves the banknote past the sensors  50 . The validator then determines whether the banknote is valid and whether the valid banknote should be accumulated for later dispensing or merely provided to the banknote cassette  8 . The validator controls the position of the banknote gate  24 . The validator also controls the drive mechanism for the banknote accumulator and dispenser  6 . It will only operate this mechanism when a banknote is to be received or when a received banknote in the accumulator is to be dispensed and provided to the banknote path  12  and moved to the banknote inlet/outlet  14 . 
   From  FIG. 1  it can also be seen that the banknote path  12  basically terminates at the upper end of the banknote cassette  8 . This provides a relatively short banknote path and a banknote provided to the first portion  16  of the cassette will continue down in a slot provided in the cassette for stacking in the cassette as indicated by the stack of banknotes  56 . 
     FIG. 2  shows the banknote path connecting the inlet/outlet  14  with the banknote cassette. 
     FIG. 3  shows the gate  24  in an operative position which allows a banknote stored within the accumulator  6  to be provided to the banknote path and provided as change at the inlet/outlet  14 . 
   In  FIG. 4  the removable banknote cassette  8  has been separated from the structural frame  10  and also the banknote accumulator and dispenser  8  is also separated. As can be seen, the banknote path  12  is now open due to the removal of the banknote accumulator and dispenser  6 . Part of the banknote path is defined along the exterior surface  70  of the banknote accumulator and dispenser  6 . The active drive rollers  34 ,  36  and  38  are secured in the structural frame  10  as well as the drive roller  18  and these rollers are connected by a common drive arrangement. Drive rollers  34  and  38  are provided at a transition point associated with the angled transitions  12   a  and  12   c . The exterior surface  70  of the accumulator  6  also includes projecting idler rolls  42 ,  44  and  46  which cooperate with the particular drive rollers. 
   Imbedded in the exterior surface  70  and exposed on the exterior thereof, are light prisms  74  and  76  a beam of light is emitted at the sensors  78  and  80  and the prisms  74  and  76  return the light to these sensors if a banknote is not present. Software logic is provided to determine whether a banknote has become jammed at a certain point in the banknote path or is passing a specific sensor. 
     FIGS. 5 and 6  shows the elongated stacked relationship of the validator head, the accumulator and the stacking banknote cassette. 
     FIGS. 6 and 7  also illustrate the cooperation between the banknote gate  24  drive roller  38  and drive roller  41  of the accumulator. Drive roller  41  partially protrudes into the banknote path  12  and assists in moving of a banknote to the cassette or to the accumulator. The gear train  53  drives the rollers with power provided by motor  55 . Gear  57  is in mesh with gear  59 . With this arrangement roller  41  is driven at the correct speed and the same speed as roller  38 . 
     FIG. 8  again takes advantage of the structural frame  10  to secure PCB board  10 . PCB  10  includes a number of light emitters  61  and associated light guides  63  that project light across the banknote path  12 . Light prisms  65  in the accumulator return the light to a receiver on the PCB board  10 . If a banknote is present it interrupts the received light. With this arrangement the sensors remain with the frame and the removable accumulator has the less expensive components. 
   The accumulator  8  shown in  FIGS. 9 ,  10  and  11  includes a motor  91  for controlling the banknote gate  24 . A crank arm  93  moves the banknote gate as required. Sensors  95  and  96  determine the gate position. 
   The accumulator  8  includes its own drive motor, a gear train  97  and a tape speed sensor  98 . This arrangement allows the speed of a banknote as it is received in the accumulator to be matched to a speed of the banknote in the banknote path during receipt and dispensing of a banknote. 
   Sensor  101  senses a beginning point of the tape  105  as one half of the tape is provided with a black strip. This indicates very little of tape  105  is wound on the accumulating drum  26 . A black strip is provided on the opposite side and at the opposite end of tape  105  to indicate an end point of the tape. This second strip is sensed by the sensor  103 . 
   Although various preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described herein in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.