Abstract:
A document acceptor for authenticating and storing documents includes a document validator, a document cassette and a displacement actuator. The document validator is for authenticating received documents. The document cassette is for storing the documents received by the document validator. The displacement actuator is adapted to change a position of the document cassette from a first position to a second position to mate the document cassette with the document validator. Related apparatus, systems, techniques, and articles are also described.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The subject matter described herein relates to a document cassette displacement actuator capable of, for example, mating a document cassette with a document validator. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A document acceptor is a device that determines whether documents, such as currency bills, are genuine or counterfeit, and stores the accepted documents. These devices can be used in many automated machines found in retail kiosks, self-checkout machines, gaming machines, transportation parking machines, automatic fare collection machines, vending machines, and the like. 
     In operation, if the document is authenticated the document acceptor retains the document and places it in a storage container for later collection. If the document acceptor rejects the document, the document acceptor returns the document by pushing the document out and the user must remove it from the slot in which it was placed. 
     The storage container has a limited capacity and once a storage container is filled with documents, the storage container can be removed from the document acceptor and replaced with an empty storage container. But the replacement storage container may not properly connect to the document acceptor and removing the full storage container and inserting the replacement storage container may only be possible from limited orientations (for example, access may only be available from the front of the document acceptor), which may limit the possible uses of the document acceptor. 
     SUMMARY 
     In an aspect, a document acceptor for authenticating and storing documents includes a document validator, a document cassette and a displacement actuator. The document validator is for authenticating received documents. The document cassette is for storing the documents received by the document validator. The displacement actuator is adapted to change a position of the document cassette from a first position to a second position to mate the document cassette with the document validator. 
     In another aspect, a displacement actuator includes a housing and an interface. The housing is adapted to removably secure the displacement actuator to a document acceptor. The interface is adapted to change a position of a document cassette from a first position to a second position to mate the document cassette with a document validator. The document validator is for authenticating received documents and the document cassette is for storing the documents received by the document validator. 
     In yet another aspect, a document acceptor includes a document validator, a document cassette, and means for changing a position of the document cassette. The document validator is for authenticating received documents. The document cassette is for storing the documents received by the document validator. The means is for changing a position of the document cassette from a first position to a second position to mate the document cassette with the document validator. 
     One or more of the following features can be included in any feasible combination. For example, the displacement actuator can include a handle. Actuation of the handle can cause the displacement actuator to change the position of the document cassette from the first position to the second position to mate the document cassette with the document validator. Actuation of the handle through a predetermined range of motion can cause the displacement actuator to change the position of the document cassette to the second position. The second position can vary based on a position of the document validator. 
     A chassis can be included coupling the document validator and the displacement actuator. The chassis can be adapted to allow insertion and removal of the document cassette from a rear orientation of the document acceptor. The displacement actuator can be adapted to lift the document cassette in a vertical direction from the first position to the second position. The chassis can couple the document validator and the displacement actuator. The displacement actuator can be held in a fixed position relative to the document validator. The chassis can couple the document validator and the displacement actuator. The displacement actuator can include a housing being removably secured to the chassis. 
     The first position can be an initial position and the second position can be a final position. The displacement actuator can be adapted to cause the position of the document cassette to change to the initial position or the final position when the position of the document cassette is not the initial position or the final position. The displacement actuator can include a lever for actuation and an assist mechanism that provides mechanical advantage such that changing the position of a document cassette containing documents requires substantially the same amount of force on the lever as changing the position of a document cassette that is empty of documents. 
     A cassette detection unit can be included and adapted to detect whether the document cassette is mated with the document validator. A chassis can be included and the document cassette can include features adapted to soft lock the document cassette to the chassis when the displacement actuator is in a down position and the document cassette can be removed. The features can be further adapted to lock the document cassette to the chassis when the displacement actuator is in an up position and the document cassette is mated to the document validator. 
     The document validator can have one or more gear projections preventing solely horizontal insertion of the document cassette into a mating position with the document validator. 
     The displacement actuator can include a lever, a cam operatively coupled to the lever, and a spring biasing the cam in a first cam position or a second cam position. Rotation of the lever can cause the cam to transition between the first cam position and the second cam position. 
     The details of one or more variations of the subject matter described herein are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages of the subject matter described herein will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a cross sectional view of an example implementation of a document acceptor; 
         FIG. 2  is a cross sectional view of the example document acceptor with the document cassette fully inserted and the displacement actuator in the lowered position; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of the example document acceptor with the document cassette fully inserted and the displacement actuator in the raised position; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the example displacement actuator; 
         FIG. 5A  is a cross sectional view of the displacement actuator in a raised position; 
         FIG. 5B  is a cross sectional view of the displacement actuator in a lowered position; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the example implementation of a document acceptor; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross sectional view of a chassis containing document validator with the document cassette and the displacement actuator removed; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an example implementation of a document cassette; 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of the example implementation of the document cassette; 
         FIG. 10A  is a close up view of the horizontal alignment lock features and corresponding cassette horizontal alignment lock features with the document cassette and displacement actuator in a lowered position; 
         FIG. 10B  is a close up view of the horizontal alignment lock features and corresponding cassette horizontal alignment lock features with the document cassette and displacement actuator in a raised position; 
         FIG. 11A  is a cross section view of the alignment rails and corresponding alignment rail features with the displacement actuator and the document cassette in a lowered position; 
         FIG. 11B  is a cross section view of the alignment rails and corresponding alignment rail features with the displacement actuator and the document cassette in a raised position; 
         FIGS. 12A-C  illustrate engagement of the forward lock feature and the corresponding cassette forward lock feature; 
         FIG. 13  is an illustration of the document acceptor with the document cassette improperly inserted backwards into the chassis; 
         FIG. 14A  is a cross section view of an example implementation of a cassette detection unit; 
         FIG. 14B  is a cross section view of the cassette detection unit with the document cassette and displacement actuator in the raised position; and 
         FIGS. 15-19  are cross sections of another example implementation of a document acceptor having a displacement actuator that allows for over-rotation of a handle. 
     
    
    
     Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The subject matter described herein includes a document cassette displacement actuator capable of mating a document cassette with a document validator. In some implementations, the displacement actuator can enable a rear-access document acceptor (e.g., rear-access to the document cassette) for “through-the-wall” applications. Moreover, in some implementations, front-access document acceptors can be retrofit with a displacement actuator to enable rear-access without significant modification of the front-access document acceptors. 
       FIG. 1  is a cross sectional view of an example implementation of a document acceptor  100 . The document acceptor  100  can include a document validator  105  for authenticating received documents, a document cassette  110  with stacking mechanism  112  capable of storing documents in a stack configuration, a displacement actuator  115  that can change the position of the document cassette  110 , and a chassis  120  that connects and secures the document validator  105  and the displacement actuator  115 . The chassis  120  can house the document cassette  110  and can be adapted to allow insertion and removal of the document cassette. In some implementations, the displacement actuator  115  and the chassis  120  ensure proper alignment and positioning of the document cassette  110  for mating the document cassette  110  and the document validator  105 . The chassis  120  can hold the document validator  105  and the displacement actuator  115  in a fixed position relative to one another. The document cassette  110  can be removable from the chassis  120  and  FIG. 1  shows the document cassette  110  as partially inserted into the chassis  120 . 
     The displacement actuator  115  can include a lever  205  (e.g., a handle) operatively coupled to one or more cams  210  that interface with the document cassette  110 . In the implementation shown in  FIG. 1 , the displacement actuator  115  is in a lowered position and can, once the document cassette  110  is fully inserted in the horizontal direction, raise or lift the document cassette  110  in a vertical direction such that the document cassette  110  mates with the document validator  105 . Specifically, rotation of the lever  205  by, for example, a user, can cause the cams  210  to rise thereby moving (e.g., lifting) the document cassette  110 . For example,  FIG. 2  is a cross sectional view of the document acceptor  100  with the document cassette  110  fully inserted and the displacement actuator  115  in the lowered position.  FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of the document acceptor  100  with the document cassette  110  fully inserted and the displacement actuator  115  in the raised position. The actuator  115  in the raised position has lifted the document cassette  110  and caused the document cassette  110  to mate with the document validator  105 . In the implementation illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 , the document cassette  110  and the document validator  105  mate when a validator gear  305  on the document validator  105  engages with a cassette gear  310  of the document cassette  110 . Once the document cassette  110  and the document validator  105  mate, then normal operation of the document acceptor  100  can proceed (e.g., receiving, authenticating, and storing documents). 
     In the example implementation of the document acceptor  100 , the validator gear  305  and/or the cassette gear  310  are projections that may be damaged by or would prevent the document cassette  110  from being inserted horizontally while the displacement actuator  115  is in the raised position. Thus, in the example implementation, vertical displacement is required to mate the document validator  105  and the document cassette  110 . 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the displacement actuator  115 ,  FIG. 5A  is a cross sectional view of the displacement actuator  115  in a raised position, and  FIG. 5B  is a cross sectional view of the displacement actuator  115  in a lowered position. The displacement actuator  115  can include a lever  205  (e.g., a handle), operatively coupled to cams  210  by rods  215  and brackets  220 . Pins  225  on the rods  215  reside in recessed guides  230  on the brackets  220 . Manipulation of the lever  205 , for example, by pulling or pushing on lever  205  to rotate lever  205 , causes the rods  215  to transition position (e.g., between positions illustrated in  FIG. 5A  and  FIG. 5B ) and transfer the motion to the cam  210 , which in turn causes the cams  210  to raise or lower, respectively. 
     A bias mechanism  235  (e.g., a spring such as a gas spring) can connect cams  210  and can provide for a bias for locking the displacement actuator  115  (and a corresponding document cassette  110 ) in either the raised or the lowered position. The displacement actuator  115  can have two stable positions, either raised (e.g.,  FIG. 5A ), or lowered (e.g.,  5 B). In other words, if the lever  205  is rotated such that the displacement actuator  115  is at a position that is between the raised and lowered position and force on the lever  205  is removed, then the displacement actuator, under bias from the bias mechanism  235 , will return to one of the raised or lowered positions. In some implementations, the displacement actuator  115  provides for movement of the document cassette  110  solely in a single axis (e.g., vertical, horizontal, and the like). 
     The bias mechanism  235  can also allow the displacement actuator  115  to self-adjust the final raised position such that the final raised position (e.g.,  FIG. 5A ) is independent of a final position of the lever  205 . Such self-adjustment can be necessary to compensate for manufacturing tolerances in any of the document cassette  110 , document validator  105 , and chassis  120 . Thus, the lever  205  can rotate through a predefined range of motion while the range of lift or lowering of the document cassette  110  can vary between different document cassettes, document validators  105 , and chassis  120 . In one example implementation, the displacement actuator  115  can provide up to a 9-millimeter position displacement (e.g., lift). 
     In an example implementation, substantially the same amount of force (e.g., constant) is required on the lever  205  in order to manipulate the displacement actuator  115  between lowered and raised positions regardless of the weight of the document cassette  110 . In other words, components displacement actuator  115  can serve as an assist mechanism so that a relatively large change in weight of the document cassette  110  results in a relatively small change in the required force applied to the lever  205  to lift or lower the document cassette  110 . The weight of the document cassette  110  can vary depending on content of the document cassette  110 , such as whether the document cassette  110  is empty or full of documents. 
     The displacement actuator  115  can include a housing  240  with one or more removably securing features  245  for fastening or securing the displacement actuator  115  to the chassis  120  (e.g., via screws, bolts, and the like). By being removable from the chassis  120 , the displacement actuator  115  can be serviceable without requiring disassembly of the entire document acceptor  100 . 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the example implementation of a document acceptor  100 . Chassis  120  secures the document validator  105  with the displacement actuator  115  and houses the document cassette  110 . 
       FIG. 7  is a cross sectional view of a chassis  120  containing document validator  105  with the document cassette  110  and the displacement actuator  115  removed.  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9  are a perspective view and a side view, respectively, of an example implementation of a document cassette  110 . The chassis  120  can include horizontal alignment lock features  705  that can include a projection and can aid in proper positioning of the document cassette  110  when the document cassette  110  mates with the document validator  105 . The document cassette  110  can include corresponding horizontal alignment lock features  805  that can include a recess. When the document cassette  110  is inserted into the chassis  120 , the horizontal alignment lock features  705  and corresponding cassette horizontal alignment lock features  805  can serve to prevent mating of the document cassette  110  and the document validator  105  unless the document cassette  110  is fully inserted into the chassis  120 . When the document cassette  110  fully inserts into the chassis  120 , the horizontal alignment lock features  705  and corresponding cassette horizontal alignment lock features  805  align allowing the displacement actuator  115  to lift the document cassette  110  a sufficient distance to allow for the document cassette  110  and the document validator  105  to mate. For example,  FIG. 10A  is a close up view of the horizontal alignment lock features  705  and corresponding cassette horizontal alignment lock features  805  with the document cassette  110  and displacement actuator  115  in a lowered position. The document cassette  110  is fully inserted into the chassis  120 . When the displacement actuator  115  lifts the cashbox  110 , the document cassette  110  and the document validator  105  can engage because the document cassette  110  is fully inserted.  FIG. 10B  is a close up view of the horizontal alignment lock features  705  and corresponding cassette horizontal alignment lock features  805  with the document cassette  110  and displacement actuator  115  in a raised position. 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 7-9 , the chassis  120  can include alignment rails  710  and the document cassette  110  can include corresponding alignment rail features  810  for ensuring that the document cassette  110  is laterally aligned when inserted into the chassis  120 .  FIG. 11A  is a cross section view of the alignment rails  710  and corresponding alignment rail features  810  with the displacement actuator  115  and the document cassette  110  in a lowered position.  FIG. 11B  is a cross section view of the alignment rails  710  and corresponding alignment rail features  810  with the displacement actuator  115  and the document cassette  110  in a raised position. The alignment rails  710  and corresponding alignment rail features  810  are engaged to allow the document cassette  110  to mate with the document validator  105 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 7-9 , the chassis  120  can include a forward lock feature  715  for locking the document cassette  110  in a fully inserted position. The forward lock feature  715  can soft lock a fully inserted document cassette  110  when the displacement actuator  115  and the document cassette  110  are in the lowered position. A soft lock can provide some resistance to removing the document cassette  110  (e.g., so the document cassette  110  does not inadvertently slide out of the chassis  120 ) but not so much resistance that the document cassette  110  cannot be removed without damaging the document acceptor  105 . The forward lock feature  715  can also hard lock a fully inserted document cassette  110  when the displacement actuator  115  and the document cassette  110  are in the raised position. A hard lock can prevent removal of the document cassette  110  without also damaging the document acceptor  100 . The document cassette  110  can include a corresponding forward lock feature  815  or recess for engaging the forward lock feature  715  of the chassis  120 . 
       FIGS. 12A-C  illustrate engagement of the forward lock feature  715  and the corresponding cassette forward lock feature  815 . The forward lock feature  715  can include an adjustable-length telescoping arm  716  having two projecting lock pins  717  or bearings near the ends of the arm  716 . A spring  718  within the arm  716  can bias the arm  716  to full extension. The cassette forward locking feature  815  can include a recess pocket  818 . 
     At  FIG. 12A , the document cassette  110  inserts into the chassis  120  but is not fully inserted. The document cassette  110  and the displacement actuator  115  are in the lowered position. As the document cassette  110  inserts, ramps  816  on the cassette forward locking features  815  serve to push together the lock pins  717  shortening the arm  716 . Once the arm  716  has cleared the ramps  816 , the arm  716  can fully extend, as shown at  FIG. 12B . Reverse ramps  817  provide some resistance to the forward locking feature  715  so that the document cassette  110  is soft-locked into the chassis  120 . Should there be an attempt to remove the document cassette  120 , the lock pin  717  near the reverse ramp  816  would ride the reverse ramp  816  and release the document cassette  110  from the forward lock feature  715 . At  FIG. 12C , the document cassette  110  and displacement actuator  115  is in the raised position. The arm  716  and a lock pin  717  reside within the recess pocket  818  and the cassette forward locking feature  815  can block the arm  716  and lock pin  717  to prevent removal of the document cassette  120  from the chassis  120 . In order for the document cassette  110  to be removed from the chassis  120 , the document cassette  110  and displacement actuator  115  can first transition to the lowered position (e.g.,  FIG. 12B ), then the document cassette  110  can be removed. 
     In some implementations, the document cassette  110  can include a stacking mechanism  112 . During normal document acceptor  100  operations, when document validator  105  receives and authenticates a document, the document travels through document validator  105  to document cassette  110  where the stacking mechanism  112  places the document onto a stack of documents. While stacking the document, the stacking mechanism  112  can impart a force directed generally rearward with respect to the document acceptor  100 . The forward lock feature  715  and the corresponding cassette forward lock feature  815  can serve to prevent the document cassette  110  from becoming unaligned or unmated from the document validator  105  because of the forces from the stacking mechanism  112 . 
     The forward lock feature  715  and the corresponding cassette forward lock feature  815  can also serve to provide feedback to a user that the document cassette  110  is fully inserted into the document acceptor  100  because the user can test whether the soft-lock is engaged. 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 7-9 , the chassis  120  can include a cassette stop  720 . The document cassette  110  can include a corresponding cassette stop recess  720  for mating with the cassette stop  720 . The cassette stop  720  can prevent full insertion of, for example, the wrong type of document cassette  110 , or insertion of the document cassette  110  in the wrong orientation (e.g., backwards). For example,  FIG. 13  is an illustration of the document acceptor  100  with the document cassette  110  improperly inserted backwards into the chassis  120 . The cassette stop  720  prevents the improper insertion from damaging the document validator gear  310  and the document cassette gear  305 . Moreover, preventing full insertion of the document cassette  110  into the chassis  120  provides a visual indication (to, for example, a service personnel) that the document cassette  110  is improperly inserted and normal operation of the document acceptor  105  cannot begin. 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 7-9 , the chassis  120  can further include one or more wheels  725  as a low-friction riding surface for the document cassette  110  to enable easy and smooth insertion and removal of the document cassette  110  from the chassis  120 . Additionally, the document cassette  110  can include a handle  825  for insertion and removal of the document cassette  110 . The document cassette  110  can comprise a storage box  830  and a faceplate  835  containing the cassette forward stop features  815 . The box  830  may be for use with a different implementation of a document acceptor and can be retrofitted by addition of the faceplate  835 , although other implementations of the document cassette  110  are possible. 
     The chassis  120  can further include a cassette detection unit  730  to detect whether the document cassette  110  has mated with the document validator  105 . The cassette detection unit  730  can detect horizontal position and vertical position of the document cassette  110 .  FIG. 14A  is a cross section view of an example implementation of a cassette detection unit  730 . The document cassette  110  and displacement actuator  115  is in a lowered position.  FIG. 14B  is a cross section view of the cassette detection unit  730  with the document cassette  110  and displacement actuator  115  in the raised position. The cassette detection unit  730  can include a mechanical switch  1405 , which can be triggered when the document cassette  110  and the displacement actuator  115  are in the raised position, thus detecting that the document cassette  110  and the displacement actuator  115  are raised. A light guide  1410  (e.g., illustrated in  FIG. 8 ) may be included for detecting horizontal position of the document cassette  110 . When the document cassette  110  obstructs light guide  1410 , the document cassette  110  can be detected as being fully inserted. 
     The cassette detection unit  730  can be operably coupled to the document validator  105  and the document validator  105  can use the information gained from the cassette detection unit  730  to determine whether the document cassette  110  is properly mated to the document validator  105 . An indicator (such as a light, sound, electronic transmission, and the like) can be generated when the document cassette  110  is detected as being properly mated to the document validator  105 . Moreover, document validator  105  can use the information gained from the cassette detection unit  730  to determine whether the document acceptor  100  may proceed with normal operation (e.g., receiving, authenticating, and storing documents). 
       FIGS. 15-19  are cross sections of another example implementation of a document acceptor  1500  having a displacement actuator  1515  that allows for over-rotation of a handle  1520  (e.g., extra travel). In the example implementation of  FIGS. 15-19 , the displacement actuator  1515  includes a handle  1520  having clutch features  1525  that allow for over-rotation of the handle  1515 . The handle  1520  also includes a hook  1530  that engages with a rotation stop  1535  to prevent the handle  1520  from rotating past a predetermined range of motion. 
       FIG. 15  illustrates the displacement actuator  1515  in a raised position with handle  1520  substantially vertical (e.g., approximately perpendicular to ground level).  FIG. 16  illustrates the displacement actuator  1515  in a lowered position with handle  1520  substantially horizontal (e.g., approximately parallel to ground level). The document cassette  110  can be removed from the document acceptor  1500 . Moreover, by returning the displacement actuator  1515  to the lowered position when the handle  1520  is above or substantially parallel to ground level (e.g., horizontal), the displacement actuator  1515  can be operated while the document acceptor  1500  rests on the ground. 
       FIG. 17  illustrates the handle  1520  over-rotated beyond the normal operating range of permitted motion (e.g., beyond parallel to ground level). Clutch feature  1525  is ready to engage and allow for further rotation of the handle  1520  without damage to the displacement actuator  1500 .  FIG. 18  illustrates the handle  1520  even further over-rotated and the clutch feature  1525  is engaged. This may occur, for example, if an individual steps on the handle  1515  or too much force is applied to the handle  1515 .  FIG. 19  illustrates that, after full over-rotation, hook  1530  on the handle  1520  engages with rotation stop  1535  to prevent further rotation of the handle  1520 . As illustrated in  FIG. 19 , the maximum over-rotation allowed in the example implementation is approximately perpendicular to ground level (e.g., a safe position). The allowed over-rotation can serve to protect the displacement actuator  1500  should the handle  1515  over-rotate. 
     The subject matter described herein provides many advantages. For example, document cassette access from different orientations is achieved. Motion to mate the document cassette with the document validator can occur with a single motion and projections or features (e.g., on the document validator or document cassette) can be protected or clearance for the projections or features can be provided. Existing document acceptors can be retrofit without modifying the document validator (or head). The current subject matter can enable feedback to a user that a document cassette is fully inserted and mated with the document acceptor. Adjustment by the displacement actuator can account for variable height and manufacturing tolerances. 
     As described herein, documents can include banknote, bills, checks, valuable papers, currency, coins, tokens, certificates, coupons, tickets, valuable items, and the like. 
     While the example implementation of the displacement actuator  115  has been described herein as including a lever or handle, other implementations are possible. For example, the displacement actuator can include an electric motor for moving the document cassette to mate with the document validator (e.g., an “elevator”). Moreover, the movement can be from any direction or orientation (e.g., vertical, horizontal, and/or other), in a single direction or along any predetermined trajectory including rotational movement (e.g., rotating the document cassette into mating position with the document validator). 
     In some implementations, the current subject matter can provide for document cassette  110  access from different orientations (e.g., other than or in addition to the rear). For example, the document acceptor  100  can be adapted to allow a document cassette to insert from multiple orientations, such as from either the front or the rear with a document cassette having multiple handles. In some implementations, the displacement actuator can move the document validator  105  to mate with a stationary document cassette  110 , or both the document validator  105  and the document cassette  110  can move to provide for proper mating. Other implementations are possible. 
     Although a few variations have been described in detail above, other modifications are possible. For example, the implementations described above can be directed to various combinations and subcombinations of the disclosed features and/or combinations and subcombinations of several further features disclosed above. In addition, the logic flows described herein do not require the particular order, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. Other embodiments may be within the scope of the following claims.