Abstract:
To provide an apparatus for sorting sheetlike data carriers which firstly has a compact and ergonomically optimal design and secondly permits the use of compact and cost-effective test devices, it is proposed that the input pocket ( 2 ) and the output pocket ( 12-15 ) are designed and oriented with respect to the front side ( 1 ) of the apparatus such that the long sides of the data carriers ( 3 ) face the operator. The singling device ( 19 ) and the transport system ( 4 ) transport the data carriers through a test device in the direction of their long sides. After running through the test device ( 6 ) the data carriers are supplied to one of the output pockets ( 12-15 ) by a longitudinal/cross conveying device ( 7 ) along their transverse sides.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to an apparatus for sorting sheetlike data carriers, in particular bank notes. 
     DE-A 33 33 365 discloses a sorting apparatus with a bank note input pocket which faces the operator and into which bank notes with a rectangular format having narrow and longer dimensions are fed such that the longer dimension of the bank notes faces the operator and extends parallel to the front panel of the apparatus. The bank notes are singled from the input pocket and supplied successively by means of a transport system to a test device which determines the face value and state of the bank notes, among other things. In accordance with this test, the individual bank notes are then supplied to corresponding output pockets. The input and output pockets of the known apparatus are disposed in a descending array and located close together. Due to this and the orientation of the bank notes both in the input pocket and in the output pockets along their longer dimension parallel to the front panel of the apparatus so that the bank notes are easily grasped by the operator, the known sorting apparatus possesses improved ergonomic design. 
     In the known apparatus, the bank notes are transported from the input pocket to the output pockets with the narrow dimension of the bank notes leading. This necessitates accordingly large-volume and thus elaborate test devices because transverse scanning of the bank notes requires considerably more measuring tracks for large-surface or informative assessment of the bank note than testing the bank notes when the bank notes are transported with the longer dimension leading. For example, one can test security threads or other elements such as adhesive strips extending transversely to the bank note with much lower effort when the longer dimension is leading. 
     The invention is therefore based on the problem of proposing a generic apparatus not only having a compact construction and optimal ergonomic design of the apparatus, but also permitting the use of compact and thus cost-effective test devices. 
     This problem is solved according to the invention by the characterizing features of the present invention. A method for sorting sheetlike data carriers is an object of the present invention. 
     The inventive solution is characterized in that the bank notes face the operator along their longer dimension both in the input pocket and in the output pockets but are singled in the direction with the narrow dimension leading and also transported through the test device in this orientation. After testing, the bank notes are oriented in a longitudinal/cross conveying device so as to be supplied to the output pockets in the direction with the longer dimension leading. 
     Cross removal of the bank notes with a longitudinal/cross conveying apparatus furthermore offers the possibility of alignment along the longer and narrow dimensions of a bank note stack in the output pocket thereby ensuring flush-edge stacking along the longer and narrow dimensions. 
     Since the bank notes face the operator along their longer dimension both in the input pocket and in the output pockets, the corresponding stacks can be grasped conveniently and reliably. Moreover, the testing of the bank notes can be performed by means of cost-effective and compactly constructed test devices. 
     The invention thus permits a sorting apparatus not only having an especially good ergonomic design but also permitting the use of compact, cost-effective assemblies especially with respect to testing. 
     According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the input pocket and output pockets are disposed close together within an operator&#39;s reach or grasp, resulting in optimal ease of operation of the sorting apparatus. Moreover, the stated pockets are easy to inspect. 
     To permit bank notes which the test device detects as being suspected forgeries or unidentifiable to be sorted out separately as early as possible, a further advantageous embodiment of the invention has a separate output pocket provided between the test device and the longitudinal/cross conveying device. Since the bank notes collected in this pocket require manual reworking by the operator, it is especially advantageous from an ergonomic point of view that this output pocket is also disposed in the immediate vicinity of the input pocket and is likewise easy to inspect. 
     According to a further embodiment of the invention, one or more output pockets and the longitudinal/cross conveying device are parts of a modularly constructed unit. This output module is equipped with standardized interfaces for receiving and passing on longitudinally transported bank notes. Via the longitudinal/cross conveying device integrated into the output module the bank notes are transferred out of the longitudinal conveying path if required and supplied to the output pockets in the direction of the longer dimension leading. Accordingly adapted electric and mechanical interfaces make it possible in a simple way to connect the output module to a basic module including the input pocket a singling device, a part of the transport system, the test device and optionally an output pocket for rejected bank notes. Depending on the requirements and use of the sorting apparatus, one can also interconnect a plurality of output modules so that different configurations of the total system can be realized. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Further advantageous features as well as the structure and function of the invention will result from the following description referring to the drawing, in which: 
     FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment, 
     FIG. 2 shows a basic module, 
     FIG. 3 shows an output module, 
     FIG. 4 shows the cooperation of two output modules, and 
     FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention will be explained in the following by the example of a bank note sorting apparatus; the same reference signs are selected for matching parts. 
     FIG. 1 shows front and side views of a sorting apparatus formed as a desktop machine. The figure only shows the components essential for understanding the invention, which are shown in greatly schematized form. Front panel  1  of the apparatus inclined to the horizontal at an angle of about 70° has input pocket  2  into which a stack of bank notes  3  can be inserted. The inclination is provided with respect to the operator such that the upper end of the front panel is directed away from the operator. The notes face the operator along their longer dimension and are inserted into input pocket  2  parallel to the front panel. The notes are singled from the input pocket in the direction of their longer dimension with their narrow dimension leading along the transport path by suitable singling device  19  and delivered to following transport system  4 . Transport system  4  extends along a substantially U-shaped path in the area of the lower, side and upper limiting walls of the housing. This permits a sufficiently long transport path to be accommodated in a relatively small space. This length is firstly necessary to accommodate a suitable number of sensors in the test device, secondly transport path or transport time is required to evaluate the test signals and activate suitable control elements. The provided path of transport system  4  makes it very accessible, in particular in the area of test device  6 . Subsequently the notes are transported through test device  6  for checking selectable criteria of the note. In accordance with this test the notes are subsequently supplied either via so-called spiral pocket stacker  9  to reject pocket  10  or via longitudinal/cross conveying device  7  to output pockets  12  to  15 . Reject pocket  10  disposed in the immediate vicinity of the input pocket is intended for unidentifiable or suspected counterfeit notes which must be subjected to a check by the operator. Output pockets  12  to  15  are also disposed in the immediate vicinity of the input pocket and thus within the operator&#39;s reach. The notes face the operator with their longer dimension in the input pocket, the output pockets and reject pocket  10  for unidentifiable and/or suspected counterfeit notes, so that they can be grasped conveniently and reliably by the operator. 
     Since output pockets  12 - 15  are combined laterally of input pocket  2 , and reject pocket  10  is disposed above input pocket  2 , the danger of confusion between reject pocket  10  and output pockets  12 - 15  is eliminated despite the altogether close arrangement of the pockets. 
     Specifically, the apparatus works as follows. Bank notes  3  deposited against stop face  5  in input pocket  2  are supplied to transport system  4  consecutively note by note by means of singling device  19 . The bottom of the input pocket is inclined downgrade by about 20° to the left and back so that the notes are aligned both on a long side and on a short side. Transport system  4  conveys the notes with the narrow dimension of the bank notes leading, guiding them through test device  6  which performs a check by suitable sensors during transport. The output signals of the sensors are supplied to a control device not shown in the figures. Said control device decides in which output pocket the particular notes should be deposited. 
     Unidentifiable multiple removals and suspected counterfeits are transferred out of transport system  4  by switch  8  and fed to spiral pocket stacker  9 . The latter has a drum shape and fan-shaped receptacles and is driven to rotate as indicated by the arrow. Notes entering the stacker are slowed down therein and then placed in reject pocket  10  for rejected notes. The notes here are available to the operator for reworking. 
     The other notes are supplied to longitudinal/cross conveying device  7  where they change their original moving direction along their long sides to a moving direction along the narrow dimension of the bank note with the longer dimension leading through a corresponding mechanism if they are to be deposited in output pockets  12 - 15 . They are then passed on to transport system  11  which supplies them to one of output pockets  12  to  15  in accordance with selectable sorting criteria. For this purpose they are transferred out by suitable switches (not shown) and deposited via stackers (also not shown). Said stackers differ from above-described stacker  9  only in that the notes are supplied in the direction of the longer dimension leading, permitting the stackers to have a much smaller diameter. This permits output pockets  12  to  15  to be set in a row in especially compact fashion. By reason of the inclined front panel said output pockets are disposed in the manner of stairs and thus especially easy to operate. 
     When the notes are placed in the reject pocket  10  the order of sheets from the input pocket is retained. This permits the use of so-called separating cards as intermediate layers between individual processing units. 
     Should a breakdown lead to failure of the control device, for example, so that proper deposit of the notes in the right output pocket is no longer ensured, said notes are supplied via output  17  to emergency output pocket  18 . This deposit is effected automatically if there is no cross removal in the direction of cross conveyor  11 . 
     As illustrated by FIGS. 2 and 3, the inventive device is of modular design and composed of basic module  20  (FIG. 2) and at least one output module  25  (FIG.  3 ). Basic module  20 , as explained above, contains input pocket  2  with singling device switch  19 , transport system  4 , test device  6 , switch  8 , spiral pocket stacker  9  with associated reject pocket  10  for rejected notes, and display  21  for indicating operating conditions, information for the operator or the like. Optionally, basic module  20  can also contain the control device and a data memory unit and an input device for entering data and/or control commands. Moreover, basic module  20  has output  22  for connecting further modules. 
     Output module  25  shown in FIG. 3 is connectable to basic module  20  such that output  22  of basic module  20  is connected with input  16  of stacker module  25 . This obviously also produces an electric connection between the control device and the controllable components of output module  25 . Output module  25  contains all required driving and adjusting means for longitudinal/cross conveyor  7 , the stackers and the associated switches. Via output  17  one can connect a further identically constructed output module or other output modules with accordingly adapted interfaces. At the end of the total system one always provides emergency output pocket  18  at output  17  of the last module connected to basic module  20 . 
     FIG. 4 shows the cooperation of output module  25  with a further identically constructed module. Notes reach longitudinal/cross conveying device  7  via input  17  of output module  25 . If a note is to be deposited in one of output pockets  12  to  15 , the cross removal is activated in the longitudinal/cross conveying device and the note supplied to one of output pockets  12 - 15  via transport system  11 . If the note is to be deposited in another output pocket it is transported further without cross removal and passed via output  17  of output module  25  to input  16 ′ of following module  25 ′. In output module  25 ′ either a cross removal for deposit in one of output pockets  12 ′ to  15 ′ can then be effected or the note can be transported further via output  17 ′. 
     FIG. 5 shows a possible configuration of a bank note sorting apparatus with altogether eight output pockets  12  to  15  and  12 ′ to  15 ′. This configuration is suitable for example for a sorting mode whereby notes of different denominations and positions are to be deposited in different output pockets. 
     The configuration shown in FIG. 5 is characterized by a very compact design despite the large number of output pockets. In this configuration input pocket  2 , reject pocket  10  for notes requiring reworking, and the other output pockets in output modules  25  and  25 ′ are also disposed in the immediate vicinity of each other and thus within the operator&#39;s reach. In all input and output pockets accessible to the operator the notes are disposed with their longer dimension facing the operator and parallel to the front panel of the apparatus. This means that even a machine configuration with a large number of output pockets is characterized by high operating convenience.