Abstract:
A document bundler for a bill validator includes a document path, a transportation unit, and a clamp mechanism. The transportation unit is adapted to move a plurality of documents in series through the document path. The clamp mechanism includes a pushing member. The clamp mechanism is adapted to clamp a first document of the plurality of documents with the pushing member to inhibit movement of the first document by the transportation unit while a second document of the plurality of documents is transported substantially alongside the first document in the document path. The second document residing substantially alongside the first document forms a document bundle. Related apparatus, systems, techniques, and articles are also described.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The subject matter described herein relates to a compact document bundler for use with, for example, a bill validator. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A currency detector or currency validator is a device that determines whether bills are genuine or counterfeit. 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 addition to accepting currency, currency validators may dispense currency, for example, to provide change for a retail transaction or “cash-back” to a customer. Bills may be dispensed one at a time, but this requires the user to remove each bill before the next bill can be dispensed, which is time consuming and requires excessive user interaction with the currency validator. 
     SUMMARY 
     In an aspect, a document bundler for a bill validator includes a document path, a transportation unit, and a clamp mechanism. The transportation unit is adapted to move a plurality of documents in series through the document path. The clamp mechanism includes a pushing member. The clamp mechanism is adapted to clamp a first document of the plurality of documents with the pushing member to inhibit movement of the first document by the transportation unit while a second document of the plurality of documents is transported substantially alongside the first document in the document path. The second document residing substantially alongside the first document forms a document bundle. 
     In another aspect, a document bundler for a bill validator includes a pushing member and an extendable arm. The pushing member includes a first pushing surface and a second surface opposite the first pushing surface. The extendable arm is connected to the pushing member and is rotatable through a first trajectory from a retracted position to an extended position. The first trajectory passes the pushing member from the retracted position through at least a portion of a document path to press, in the extended position, the first pushing surface of the pushing member against a first document residing within the document path. The extendable arm is adapted to inhibit movement of the first document residing within the document path when in the extended position. The extendable arm is rotatable through a second trajectory different from the first trajectory from the extended position to the retracted position. 
     In yet another aspect, a document bundling system includes a document path, a transportation unit, a clamp mechanism including a pushing member extendable into the document path, and at least one data processor and memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one data processor, causes the at least one data processor to perform operations. Successive documents are transported by the transportation unit in series through the document path to a bundling position. The pushing member is extended by the clamping member from an unclamped position into the document path to clamp the documents in the document path at the bundling position to inhibit their movement by the transportation unit while a next successive document is transported through the document path to the bundling position to reside alongside the clamped documents. The pushing member is retracted by the clamp mechanism around the next successive document residing alongside the clamped documents in the document path to unclamp the documents in the document path and the pushing member is returned to the unclamped position without inhibiting movement of the next successive document. 
     One or more of the following features can be included in any feasible combination. For example, the clamp mechanism can be adapted to clamp successive documents of the plurality of documents while a next document is transported alongside the clamped documents to add the next document to the document bundle. The transportation unit can include a drive wheel and a pinch wheel configured to push documents against the drive wheel. The drive wheel can slip on the first document when movement of the first document is inhibited by the clamp mechanism. The pushing member can include a first pushing surface and a second smooth surface opposite the first pushing surface. The first pushing surface can have a coefficient of friction that is greater than a coefficient of friction of the second smooth surface. The clamp mechanism can include an extendable arm having a first arm segment pivotably attached to a second arm segment at a first end of the second arm segment. The second arm segment can be attached to the pushing member at a second end opposite the first end of the second arm segment. 
     The pushing member can clamp a trailing edge of the first document. The clamp mechanism can be adapted to clamp the first document between the pushing member and a wall of the document path. The document path can include a recess adjacent the clamp mechanism and the clamp mechanism clamps the first document within the recess. The clamp mechanism can include an extendable arm connected to the pushing member for extending the pushing member across the document path to clamp the first document. The pushing member can extend across the document path by rotating through the document path. The extendable arm can be adjacent the document path so that documents transported by the transportation unit are unobstructed by the extendable arm when the extendable arm is extended across the document path. The extendable arm can include an opening located so that documents transported by the transportation unit pass through the opening when the extendable arm is extended across the document path. 
     The second trajectory can pass in an arc through the document path from the extended position to the retracted position. The extendable arm can include a first arm segment pivotably attached to a second arm segment at a first end of the second arm segment. The second arm segment can be attached to the pushing member at a second end opposite the first end of the second arm segment. Two or more documents residing alongside at a position can form a document bundle. The document bundle can be transported to an exit of the document path for dispensing the document bundle. 
     Computer program products are also described that comprise non-transitory computer readable media storing instructions, which when executed by at least one data processor of one or more computing systems, causes at least one data processor to perform operations herein. Similarly, computer systems are also described that may include one or more data processors and a memory coupled to the one or more data processors. The memory may temporarily or permanently store instructions that cause at least one processor to perform one or more of the operations described herein. In addition, methods can be implemented by one or more data processors either within a single computing system or distributed among two or more computing systems. 
     The subject matter described herein provides many advantages. For example, in some implementations, documents can be bundled in a compact space within a document validator minimizing the size of the document validator. Moreover, existing document validators can be modified to bundle documents for dispensing (e.g., retrofit). Additionally, bundling documents can increase the transaction speed of a point of sale machine, thereby increasing revenue, profitability, and customer experience. 
     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 schematic illustrating an example implementation of a compact document bundler for use in a document validator; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic cross section view illustrating the clamp mechanism with the pushing member extended to clamp the document against the document path wall and in a recess; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross section view of a schematic of the document bundler with second document being transported alongside the stationary first document; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross section view of the schematic of the document bundler with the clamp mechanism articulating pushing member around the second document to return to its starting position; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross section view of the schematic of the document bundler with the pushing member returned to its starting position and beginning to move; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross section view of the schematic of the document bundler with pushing member returned to its starting position; 
         FIG. 7A  is a top view of a schematic diagram of the clamp mechanism and document path; 
         FIG. 7B  is a top view of a schematic diagram of another example implementations of a clamp mechanism; 
         FIG. 8  is a process flow diagram illustrating a method of bundling documents; 
         FIG. 9  is a cutaway view of an example implementation of a document validator (e.g., a bill validator) with clamp mechanism; and 
         FIG. 10  is a block diagram illustrating an example automated transaction machine that includes a validator for discriminating between an unknown item of currency and at least one known denomination (or class). 
     
    
    
     Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The current subject matter includes a compact document bundler that uses a document path, for example, of a document validator, to store and bundle a number of bills before dispensing them in a bundle to the user. In some implementations, a bundle with one or more documents within the document path can be clamped to a wall of the path to inhibit movement while another document is transported alongside the bundle to add the document to the bundle. The process can continue until a bundle is formed with the desired number of documents and the bundle can be dispensed to a user. The current subject matter can be compact to fit in existing document validators. 
     Documents can include, for example, banknotes, bills, checks, valuable papers, currency, coins, tokens, certificates, coupons, tickets, valuable items, and the like. 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic illustrating an example implementation of a compact document bundler  100  for use in a document validator. The validator can include document path  110  through which documents can move. The document path  110  can include entrance/exit end  115 , for example, for receiving and dispensing a document  105  to a user. The document path  110  can also include storage end  120  that leads to one or more storage compartments, such as a document cassette. A transportation unit can include drive wheel  125  and pinch wheels  130   a  and  130   b  for transporting the document  105  through the document path  110 . The transportation unit can transport multiple documents in series through the document path  110 . The pinch wheels  130   a  and  130   b  press the document  105  against the drive wheel  125 , which actively rotates to pull the document  105  through the document path  110 . 
     The document bundler  100  can include clamp mechanism  102  with pushing member  135  and extendable pushing arm  140  for clamping documents  105  within the document path  110 . The pushing member  135  can include pushing surface  145  with a rough surface, such as a surface with a higher coefficient of friction for griping documents with the pushing surface  145 . The pushing member  135  can include smooth surface  150  opposite the pushing surface  145  with a lower coefficient of friction to allow documents to slide past the smooth surface  150  of the pushing member  135 . 
     The pushing arm  140  can include two arm segments (first arm segment  153   a  and second arm segment  153   b ) that are pivotably attached to one another via a fastener at ends of their respective arms. The second arm segment  153   b  can be pivotably attached to the pushing member  135  via a fastener. The pushing arm  140  can extend the pushing member  135  into and retract the pushing member  135  from the document path  110 . The pushing arm  140  may be adjacent the document path  110  so as to not obstruct the document path  110 . For example,  FIG. 7A  is a top view of a schematic diagram of the clamp mechanism  102  and document path  110 . The pushing arm  140  is fully extended and documents  105  transported through the document path  110  are unobstructed by the pushing arm  140 .  FIG. 7B  is a top view of a schematic diagram of another example implementations of a clamp mechanism  102 . The extendable pushing arm  140  defines an opening  705  located so that documents  105  transported by the transportation unit are unobstructed by the pushing arm  140 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1 , the document path  110  can include clamp mechanism recess  160  for the pushing member  135  to reside when the pushing member  135  is retracted. The document path  110  can also include a clamp area or recess  155  for the pushing member  135  to clamp a tail end  107  of the document  105  against the wall of the document path  110 . In some implementations, the clamp mechanism recess  160 , the document path  110 , and the clamping area or recess  155  can form a clamping chamber. 
     Once drive wheel  125  and pinch wheels  130   a  and  130   b  transport the document  105  transported to bring the tail end  107  of the document  105  alongside the clamp mechanism  102  (e.g., a clamping position), the pushing member  135  can extend. The pushing member  135  can push the tail end  107  of the document  105  across the document path  110 .  FIG. 2  is a schematic cross section view illustrating the clamp mechanism  102  with the pushing member  135  extended to clamp the document  105  against the document path  110  wall and in the clamp recess  155 . The clamp mechanism  102  can pin the document  105  within the clamp recess  155  with sufficient force to inhibit the document  105  from moving, even when drive wheel  125  is driven (e.g., spins). While the clamp mechanism  102  is pinning the document  105 , if the drive wheel  125  is driven, then the drive wheel  125  can slide relative to the stationary document  105 . 
       FIG. 3  is a cross section view of a schematic of the document bundler  100  with second document  305  being transported alongside the stationary first document  105 . The second document  305  is driven by drive wheel  125  alongside the first document  105  during which the second document  305  slides along the side of the first document  105 . Pinch wheels  130   a  and  130   b , pressing against the stationary first document  105 , do not spin. The smooth surface  150  of the extended pushing member  135  allows the second document  305  to slide past the pushing member  135  unimpeded. 
       FIG. 4  is a cross section view of the schematic of the document bundler  100  with the clamp mechanism  102  articulating pushing member  135  around the second document  305  to return to its starting position. The clamp mechanism  102  articulates the pushing member  135  in such a manner that the pushing member  135  and pushing arm  140  clear the trailing edge  307  of the second document  305 . In the example implementation shown in  FIG. 4 , the pushing member  135  is moved in a trajectory or an arc around and clearing the trailing edge  307 . The trajectory of the pushing member  135  when moving from the starting position to the clamped position can be different from the trajectory of the pushing member  135  when moving from the clamped position back to the starting position. 
       FIG. 5  is a cross section view of the schematic of the document bundler  100  with the pushing member  135  returned to its starting position and beginning to move. Clamp mechanism  102  is beginning to extend to pin the first and second documents ( 105  and  305 , respectively) to the document path  110  wall. Specifically, the pushing member  135  pins the second document  305  to the first document  105 , which is pinned to the wall of the document path  110 . The two documents (first document  105  and second document  305 ) form a bundle of documents that can be dispensed from the entrance/exit end  115  of the document path  110  to a user. The process can repeat to add additional documents to the document bundle. For example,  FIG. 6  is a cross section view of the schematic of the document bundler  100  with pushing member returned to its starting position. In  FIG. 6 , a third document  605  has been brought into the document path  110 . The three documents (first document  105 , second document  305 , and third document  605 ) form a document bundle that can be dispensed from the entrance/exit end  115  of the document path  110  to a user. 
       FIG. 8  is a process flow diagram illustrating a method  800  of bundling documents. Successive documents can, at  810 , be transported via a transportation unit in series through a document path to a bundling position. The document path can be, for example, in a document validator. 
     The clamp mechanism can extend, at  820 , an extendable pushing member from an unclamped position into the document path to clamp the documents in the document path at the bundling position to inhibit their movement by the transportation unit while a next successive document is transported through the document path to the bundling position to reside alongside the clamped documents. 
     The pushing member can, at  830 , be retracted by the clamp mechanism. The pushing member can be retracted around the next successive document while it resides alongside the clamped documents in the document path. The clamp mechanism can unclamp the documents previously clamped in the document path and return the pushing member to the unclamped position without inhibiting movement of the next successive document. 
       FIG. 9  is a cutaway view of an example implementation of a document validator or document handler  910  (e.g., a bill validator) with clamp mechanism  945 . The document handler  910  can be configured for recognizing a document as genuine or counterfeit, classifying documents, and dispensing documents in a bundle form. The document handler  910  includes a document inlet/outlet  920  for receiving documents, an authentication unit  930  for authenticating documents, a transportation mechanism  940  for transporting documents to and from various components within the document handler  910 , and one or more document storage units  950  capable of receiving, storing, and dispensing documents. Authentication unit  930  can classify input documents as having a class that is one of several classes (e.g., determining a denomination of the document). In some implementations, document handler  910  can further include a document cassette  960  (e.g., cashbox) for receiving and storing documents. Document cassette  960  can be a one-way storage device for documents such that document handler  910  cannot extract documents contained in the document cassette  960 . The clamp mechanism  945  can operate to bundle documents during dispensing of the documents from the document validator  900 , for example, as described above with reference to  FIGS. 1-8 . 
     Document handler  910  can further include a controller  901  for controlling the overall operation of the money-handling unit. Controller  901  can include a microprocessor  9110  and memory  9120  for processing and storing instructions to operate document handler  910 . Controller  901  can be adapted to determine how each inserted banknote is handled (e.g., where it should be stored or whether it should be returned to the user), and for controlling components of the document handler  910  (e.g., components  930 ,  940 ,  950 ,  960 , and/or  970 ) coupled thereto to accomplish movement of documents into, through and out of document handler  910 . 
     The document storage unit  950  can be mounted to document handler  910  and can include a first recycler drum  955   a  (e.g., two-way storage) and a second recycler drum  955   b  (e.g., two-way storage). Inlet/outlet  920  is coupled to transportation mechanism  940  such that documents inserted into inlet/outlet  920  are received by the transportation mechanism  940 . 
     In some implementations, authentication unit  930  uses an optical sensing unit to discriminate the document (e.g., to discriminate between genuine vs. non-genuine items, or to classify the items) and determine other characteristics of the document (e.g., condition, degree of soiling, rips, tears, holes, and the like). The optical sensing unit can be of any type (e.g., spectral reflection and/transmission). Alternatively, the sensing unit can be any other type of document sensing system (e.g., magnetic sensing, physical sensing, and the like). Authentication unit  930  can be configured to sense and discriminate documents and/or it can be arranged to provide sensed data to a controller  901  for further processing. 
     In some implementations, transportation mechanism  940  can operatively couple inlet/outlet  920  to the authentication unit  930 . Transportation mechanism  940  can include a series of belts driven by an actuator to cause documents to move in an inward and outward direction relative to the entry and exit of the document handler  910 . Transportation mechanism  940  can be further coupled to document storage unit  950  for transporting documents to and from the document storage unit  950  based on the desired operation of document handler  910 . In some implementations, transportation mechanism  940  can include one continuous transportation path arranged to move in forward or backward motion (or capable of moving in both the forward and backward directions). In other implementations, transportation mechanism  940  can be comprised of a series of smaller transportation units to create a continuous transportation path. Other types of transportation mechanisms can be adapted for use within the document handler  910 . 
     In some implementations, document cassette  960  can be configured to store documents identified by the document handler  910  to be held within document cassette  960  for later removal by an authorized individual. In some implementations, documents stored in the document cassette  960  have to be removed from the document cassette  960  when it is external to the document handler  910 . 
     In some implementations, a loading unit  970  can be included for providing at least one item of currency to the document handler  910  for use as change in a transaction. Loading unit  970  can be removably mounted to document handler  910  and can be operatively coupled to transportation mechanism  940 . Loading unit  970  can be configured as a one-way storage device for documents such that the document handler  910  can extract documents contained in the loading unit  970  but cannot store documents in the document loading unit  970 . 
     In some implementations, controller  901  includes an external access for communicating with an external component  902  (e.g., handheld service tool or remote computer). In other implementations, document handler  910  includes a communications unit  903  for communicating with remote devices for receiving updates and/or service information. 
       FIG. 10  is a block diagram illustrating an example automated transaction machine  1050  that includes a validator  1052  for discriminating between an unknown item of currency and at least one known denomination (or class). The validator  1052  can be configured for recognizing a document as genuine or counterfeit, classifying documents, and assessing document fitness. The validator  1052  can include a sensing unit  1054 , memory  1056 , and processing unit  1058 , including at least one data processor, such as a microprocessor. The validator  1052  can store spectral response information  1060  of at least one known document for comparison with an inserted document. The validator  1052  can include a bundler  1062  for bundling documents for dispensing from the automated transaction machine  1050 . 
     Various implementations of the subject matter described herein may be realized in digital electronic circuitry, integrated circuitry, specially designed ASICs (application specific integrated circuits), computer hardware, firmware, software, and/or combinations thereof. These various implementations may include implementation in one or more computer programs that are executable and/or interpretable on a programmable system including at least one programmable processor, which may be special or general purpose, coupled to receive data and instructions from, and to transmit data and instructions to, a storage system, at least one input device, and at least one output device. 
     These computer programs (also known as programs, software, software applications or code) include machine instructions for a programmable processor, and may be implemented in a high-level procedural and/or object-oriented programming language, and/or in assembly/machine language. As used herein, the term “machine-readable medium” refers to any computer program product, apparatus and/or device (e.g., magnetic discs, optical disks, memory, Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs)) used to provide machine instructions and/or data to a programmable processor, including a machine-readable medium that receives machine instructions as a machine-readable signal. The term “machine-readable signal” refers to any signal used to provide machine instructions and/or data to a programmable processor. 
     Although a few variations have been described in detail above, other modifications are possible. For example, the document  105  may be clamped at different locations on the document  105  (e.g., the leading edge, the middle, and the like). Additionally, the clamp mechanism  102  and associated recesses can be located at different locations along the document path  110  and may be located within the document validator or within another component along the document path  110 . The transportation unit can include belts or other features for transporting the document  105 . In some implementations, the pushing member  135  can rotate as it travels across the bill path (e.g., in a clockwise motion that enables it to rotate down and under the document when it returns to the starting position). The pushing member  135  is not limited to an arm with one pushing member but can include a rotating gate having two pushing members that swap places as the gate rotates 180 degrees within recesses  155  and  160 . 
     Furthermore, 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 depicted in the accompanying figures and described herein do not require the particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. Other embodiments may be within the scope of the following claims.