EP2590148B1 - Device for handling vouchers with optimised mixed storage - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device for handling notes of value, which has an input and output unit for inputting and outputting notes of value, a sensor unit for determining the denomination of the notes of value entered and a transport unit for transporting notes of value. Furthermore, the device has a collecting container for receiving notes of value, this collecting container being designed in such a way that notes of value of a denomination of a preset currency rate can be received in it and that only notes of value can be supplied to it with the help of the transport unit but cannot be removed again. In addition, a first and at least one second recycling receptacle are provided, to which notes of value can be fed with the help of the transport unit and from which notes of value received in them can be removed again and can be fed to the input and output unit with the help of the transport unit.

The device is in particular an automated teller machine, an automatic cash register system or an automatic safe cash register. In automatic cash register systems, in particular in automatic cash register systems in the low-price segment, fewer recycling receptacles are often provided than there are different denominations of the currency rate to be handled. In particular, the necessary seven recycling receptacles are not provided in the euro area, but only three recycling receptacles. So it is not possible to store all denominations sorted by type. Single-type storage is understood to mean that only notes of value of exactly one denomination are held in a recycling receptacle.

One possibility is to store a single denomination in each of the three existing recycling receptacles and to hold notes of all other denominations in the collecting receptacle. In particular, the three smallest denominations, for example 5 euros, 10 euros and 20 euros of bank notes, are stored on the three recycling receptacles. The problem with this is that a large number of notes of value of small denominations must be paid out in order to pay out larger amounts of money, since the notes of value with the high denominations are received in the collecting receptacle and thus cannot be issued again. This can mean that the device often has to be supplied with new notes of value in order to ensure its functionality. Furthermore, the issue of a large number of notes of value can lead to customer dissatisfaction.

Another possibility is that notes of value of two different denominations are received in one of the recycling receptacles, with all the entered notes of value of these two denominations being generally fed to this recycling receptacle, that is, the notes of value are rigidly distributed to the recycling receptacles in accordance with a predetermined distribution rule. The problem with this is that, if no intermediate storage is provided, not any denomination can be paid out at any time, although the denominations are received in the recycling receptacle, since the recycling receptacles, in particular the roller storage units used, have a fixed output sequence based on the "first-in" principle. last-out ". If an intermediate store is provided, it is possible to temporarily transport a certain number of notes of value from one of the recycling receptacles into this intermediate store so that notes of value arranged later in the output sequence can be dispensed. However, the rigid distribution of the notes of value on the recycling receptacles means that a very large number of note transports may be necessary, see above that it takes a long time to spend the desired amount of money.

document WO 2006/063555 A1 discloses a banknote system for the input and output of banknotes which processes banknotes with a plurality of denominations. In this case, bank notes with at least two different denominations can be stored in a single storage unit, whereby a space-saving storage of bank notes with different denominations is possible in a simple manner. Furthermore, an algorithm specifies the storage unit in which a banknote is to be stored or from which it is to be withdrawn.

document EP 0 379 638 A1 discloses a device for accepting and dispensing banknotes with a checking device, several switches and a transport system and a control device with a memory part and a single banknote memory. The transport system enables the banknotes to be re-stacked in the banknote memory.

document EP 0 735 513 A1 discloses a device for handling banknotes, the banknotes being stored in roll stores and the position of the respective bank note in the roll store being stored as information in a memory area.

document WO 2007/101621 A1 discloses a device for paying in and out of bank notes, in which the bank notes are stored in a plurality of roller memories. The number of banknote stores is less than the denominations that can be accepted. Means are provided for storing the sequence of denominations for each storage container.

It is the object of the invention to provide a device for handling notes of value with the aid of which, despite a small number of recycling receptacles, an effective payment and disbursement of notes of value is possible.

This object is achieved by a device with the features of claim 1. Advantageous further developments of the invention are given in the dependent claims.

According to the invention, the device has a control unit in which, for each recycling receptacle, it is stored which denominations can be held in it, ie which denominations are to be held in it. Notes of value of a first and a second denomination can be received in the first recycling receptacle, and at least notes of value of a third denomination can be received in the second recycling receptacle. After entering a banknote via the input and output unit, depending on the denomination determined with the aid of the sensor unit and depending on a predetermined deposit algorithm, the control unit assigns a target memory to the entered value note, this target memory being the input and output unit, the collecting receptacle or one of the Can be recycling receptacle. The transport unit then sorts the note to the destination memory assigned to it. To output a preset amount, the control unit determines, as a function of this amount and a predetermined payout algorithm, which notes of value are to be removed from which recycling receptacles and output via the input and output unit in order to pay out the preset amount.

By defining the target memory as a function of the denomination and as a function of the predetermined deposit algorithm, it is achieved that there is no rigid distribution of the notes of value to the receptacles, but rather the notes of value are optimally distributed to the individual receptacles depending on criteria determined by the inpayment algorithm, see above that a particularly effective mixed storage takes place. By specifying which bank note is taken from which receptacle to pay out the desired amount, depending on the predetermined amount and the predetermined payout algorithm, in conjunction with the effective mixed storage based on the deposit algorithm, the desired amount is achieved within the shortest possible time with as few notes of value and As few notes transports as possible within the device are issued to the operator of the device.

Furthermore, it is achieved that the device only has to be supplied with new notes of value relatively seldom and / or the receptacles of the device only have to be emptied relatively seldom, so that the effort and thus the associated costs are reduced.

The device preferably has at least one third recycling receptacle to which notes of value can be fed with the help of the transport unit and from which the notes of value received can be removed again and fed to the input and output unit with the help of the transport unit. In this case, in particular notes of value of the second and third denomination can be received in the second recycling receptacle and only notes of value of a fourth denomination can be received in the third recycling receptacle. In this way, mixed storage of two different denominations takes place in the first recycling receptacle and the second recycling receptacle, and a single denomination is stored in the third recycling receptacle. Thus, in this Case, four different denominations can be stored with the help of only three recycling receptacles, so that four denominations are available for payout.

In an alternative embodiment, more than three recycling receptacles, for example four, five or six recycling receptacles, can be provided. Furthermore, it is also possible for more than two different denominations, for example three different denominations, to be able to be received in at least one of the recycling receptacles. The combination in which the intended recycling receptacle, a mixed storage and in which a single-type storage takes place, can be varied as desired.

The first recycling receptacle, the second recycling receptacle and / or the third recycling receptacle preferably each have at least one roller storage device for receiving notes of value. In the roll storage system, the notes of value are each held between two foil strips and wound onto a winding drum of the roll storage system, so that space-saving storage and effective, secure reception and dispensing of the notes of value are possible. Alternatively, the recycling receptacles can also be designed in the form of cash cassettes with receptacle areas in which the notes of value can be stacked as a stack of notes.

The collecting receptacle is preferably designed in the form of a money cassette which comprises a receiving area in which the received notes of value are stored as a stack of notes of value. The notes of value are here in particular on one of their edges. Alternatively, the collecting receptacle can also be designed in the form of a plurality of money cassettes, in which case in particular a first part of the denominations is received in a first money cassette and the other part of the denominations in a further money cassette.

The control unit has, in particular, a memory element in which program data of the deposit algorithm and program data of the withdrawal algorithm are stored. When paying in a note, the control unit processes the program data of the deposit algorithm and when paying out the predetermined amount, it processes the program data of the payout algorithm.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the maximum capacity of the collection receptacle, the maximum capacity of the recycling receptacle, the current inventory of the collection receptacle of notes of value, the current inventory of the recycling receptacle of notes of value and / or the order in which the notes of value are received in each case are in a storage element of the control unit Recycling bins stored. The memory element can in particular be the same memory element in which the program data of the deposit and withdrawal algorithm are also stored.

It is also advantageous if the control unit compares the denomination of the entered banknote with the denominations assigned to the recycling receptacles after entering a banknote and if the control unit compares the stocks of the recycling receptacles with their respective maximum capacities. Depending on the result of these comparisons, the control unit selects a recycling receptacle as the target memory, the inventory of which is less than the maximum receptacle capacity and in which only the denomination of the entered value note is received. This ensures that an entered value note is, if possible, received in a recycling receptacle, in which a single-type storage takes place, so that it is ensured that this value note can be paid out again without this possibly in the payout sequence Notes of value lying further in front must first be transported into a buffer store.

If, on the other hand, the comparisons show that none of the recycling receptacles, the current inventory of which is less than the respective maximum receptacle capacity, is exclusively assigned to the denomination of the value note entered, then the control unit preferably selects a recycling receptacle as the target storage facility whose inventory is less than the maximum receptacle capacity and to which the denomination of the entered note and at least one further denomination is assigned, provided that the comparisons show that at least one of the recycling receptacles meets these criteria. This ensures that, if no recycling receptacle is provided in which the entered denomination is stored sorted, and / or if the maximum storage capacity has already been reached in the recycling receptacle in which the entered denomination is stored, the entered value note in a Recycling receptacle is stored, in which a mixed storage takes place, among other things includes the denomination of the entered value note. Thus, the note is still available for a payout, but other notes of value may have to be transported to a buffer store before the payout.

Furthermore, it is advantageous that if the comparisons of the stocks with the receiving capacities and the denomination of the entered value note with the denominations assigned to the recycling receptacles result that none of the recycling receptacles is assigned the denomination of the entered value note and / or that none of the recycling receptacles are assigned to the denomination of the entered note of value is assigned, the current stock is less than the respective receiving capacity, the control unit defines the collective receptacle as the target memory for the entered note of value. This ensures that the note is not in one Recycling receptacle is received, which is not intended for the denomination of the entered value note, so that the scheduled distribution of the individual denominations is maintained on the recycling receptacle. However, after it has been received in the collective receptacle, the entered value note is no longer available for payment.

In particular, the control unit defines the input and output unit as the target memory for the entered value note, provided that the comparisons show that none of the recycling receptacles to which the denomination of the entered value note is assigned, the current stock is less than the respective maximum storage capacity and if the The current stock of the collective receptacle is not equal to its maximum capacity. Since in this case the collecting receptacle can no longer accept any more notes of value, the note entered is transported again to the input and output unit and thus returned to the operator who entered the note.

In an alternative embodiment, the note can in this case also be fed to one of the recycling receptacles to which the denomination of this note is actually not assigned. The first alternative has the advantage that the distribution of the denominations to the recycling receptacles is maintained. The second alternative, on the other hand, has the advantage that the banknote does not have to be reissued and the operator can therefore actually enter the banknote as desired. However, the fact that the note of value is received in a recycling receptacle, which is actually not intended for receiving notes of value of this denomination, means that the full functionality of the device is no longer guaranteed.

The device is in particular an automated teller machine, an automatic safe cash register or an automatic cash register system. An ATM is, in particular, a recycling ATM, into which notes of value can be entered and from which notes of value can be issued. The entered notes of value are thus fed to the device in particular as a deposit into an account of the operator, whereas a disbursement takes place through the issue of notes of value. If, on the other hand, the device is an automatic cash register system, an amount of money to be paid for paying for selected goods is determined with the aid of a detection unit, for example a barcode scanner, which is to be paid by entering notes of value. In this case, the predetermined amount to be paid out is in particular an amount of change.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, in a first step the control unit defines the input and output unit as the target memory for the deposited note. Then, in a second step, the control unit compares the current stock of the collective receptacle with its maximum storage capacity and then defines the collective receptacle as the target memory for the note entered if this comparison shows that the current inventory is less than the maximum receptacle capacity of the collective receptacle.

Then, in a third step, the control unit checks whether the denomination of the entered note is a denomination that is assigned to the first recycling receptacle and defines the first recycling receptacle as the target memory if the denomination of the entered value note is allocated to the first recycling receptacle and if the current inventory of the first recycling receptacle is less than its maximum capacity. If, on the other hand, the comparison in the third step shows that this is not the case, then so the control unit leaves the collecting receptacle as the target memory.

In a fourth step, the control unit then checks whether the denomination of the entered banknote is one of the denominations that can be received in the second recycling receptacle and whether the current stock is less than the maximum capacity of the second receptacle. In a fifth step, the control unit then defines the second recycling receptacle as the target memory if the fourth step has shown that the denomination of the entered note is one of the denominations assigned to the second recycling receptacle, and if its current inventory is less than its maximum Storage capacity and if the first recycling receptacle was not specified as the target storage in the third step.

However, if in the third step the first recycling receptacle was defined as storage and if the comparison in the fourth step has shown that the denomination of the entered notes of value is one of the denominations assigned to the second recycling receptacle and the current stock of the second recycling receptacle is less than its maximum capacity, Thus, the control unit selects that of the two recycling receptacles as the target store to which fewer different denominations are assigned. If the denomination of the entered notes of value is stored in one of the two receptacles sorted by type and mixed storage in the other, then, if the maximum storage capacity of this single-variety recycling store has not yet been reached, this recycling receptacle is defined as the target store in any case.

If the comparison in the third step has shown that the recycling receptacle has not been set as the target memory for the entered value note, and if the comparison in fourth step shows that the denomination entered is one of the denominations assigned to the second receptacle and that the current stock of the second recycling receptacle is less than its maximum receptacle capacity, so the control unit selects the second recycling receptacle as the target memory for the entered value note in any case.

If, in the second step, the comparison of the inventory of the collecting receptacle with its maximum capacity shows that the maximum receptacle capacity has already been reached, step three is continued without the collecting receptacle having been specified as the target storage, that is, at the beginning of the third step after as before the input and output unit is set as the target memory.

For at least one of the recycling receptacles to which at least two denominations are assigned, a cover value is preset for at least one preferred denomination in the control unit, which indicates how many notes of value of a denomination other than the preferred denomination in the output sequence of this recycling receptacle before the first note in the output sequence the preferred denomination may be arranged. The control unit only selects this recycling receptacle as the target storage for the note of a denomination deviating from the preferred denomination if the excess value is not exceeded by the inclusion of this note in this recycling receptacle. The excess value ensures that a maximum of as many notes of value of another denomination have to be transported into an intermediate store or the collective receptacle as indicated by the excess value in order to issue a note of value of the preferred denomination. This ensures that the preferred denomination can be issued with an acceptable number of note transports. The preferred denomination is in particular Chose a denomination, which experience shows is often needed for the payout. The coverage value has in particular a value between three and ten, preferably a value of five.

It is advantageous if the control unit, if it cannot unambiguously determine a target store based on the stocks, the assigned denominations and the coverage value, specifies that of the two recycling receptacles as the target store which takes the shorter transport route when transporting the notes of value from the input and output unit this recycling receptacle. For this purpose, the length of the transport path is stored in the control unit, in particular for each recycling receptacle. Alternatively, only a sequence of the recycling receptacles can be stored, the recycling receptacles being arranged in this sequence in such a way that they are sorted in ascending or descending order according to the length of the transport route.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the control unit uses the disbursement algorithm depending on the deviation of the total value of the notes of value intended for disbursement from the predetermined amount, the number of notes of value intended for disbursement, or the number of notes intended for disbursement corresponding to this amount Notes of value to be issued, the number of notes transports necessary for issuing the predetermined amount within the device and / or the stocks of the recycling receptacles of notes of value of the different denominations determine which notes of value are removed from which recycling receptacles and are output via the input and output unit. In particular, the control unit determines which notes of value are removed and issued from which recycling receptacle in such a way that the predetermined amount is paid out as precisely as possible, and as few notes of value as possible have to be issued for the payment of the predetermined amount, for the payment of the predetermined amount as few notes of value as possible have to be transported within the device and / or as many notes of value as possible are issued from denominations, of which a high inventory is currently available compared to the maximum receiving capacity. This ensures that the device can be operated for as long as possible without having to be refilled or disposed of by a value transport company. On the other hand, this ensures that the predetermined amount is issued as promptly as possible with as few notes of value as possible.

It is also advantageous if the control unit determines at least two possible bundles of banknotes as a function of the stocks of the recycling receptacles, with the aid of which the determined amount can be paid out at least approximately, preferably exactly, and if the control unit determines at least one preset criterion from the determined possible bundles of banknotes as a function of at least one preset criterion an optimal bundle of notes is determined. The control unit controls the transport unit in such a way that it transports the notes of value of the determined optimal bundle of notes to the input and output unit.

It is particularly premature if the control unit determines all possible bundles of banknotes for the current stocks of recycling receptacles. For this purpose, in particular a combinatorial algorithm is stored in the control unit, with the aid of which all possible combinations of dispensable notes of value can be determined in a simple manner. By selecting the optimal bundle of banknotes depending on the preset criterion, it is achieved that the same predetermined amount is not always issued in the same denomination, but that the denomination is adapted to the current stocks of the device by the current criteria, so that the device has to be supplied with new notes less often.

In this context, a bundle of banknotes is understood in particular to mean that the control unit precisely determines which banknote is to be paid out from which recycling receptacle. The information about the possible bundles of banknotes does not only contain the denomination, but the exact position of the banknotes to be paid out in the individual recycling receptacles.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the optimal bundle of banknotes is determined from the possible bundle of banknotes on the basis of several criteria, so that an even better determination can be made.

The criterion or criteria are, in particular, the deviation of the total value of the respective possible bundle of notes from the predetermined amount, the number of notes of the respective possible bundle of notes, the number of notes transports necessary to issue the notes of the respective possible bundle of notes within the device and / or the stocks of the recycling receptacles of notes of value of the various denominations are used. The optimal bundle of banknotes is selected in such a way that its total value corresponds to the predetermined amount, as few banknotes as possible need to be issued, as few banknotes transported as possible and / or as few banknotes of a denomination as possible, of which only a few banknotes remain, are issued. By taking these four criteria into account, it is ensured on the one hand that the device rarely has to be filled with new notes of value and that the predetermined amount is nevertheless spent in such a way that the customer receives as few notes of value as possible, as is usually desired by the customer.

A value note transport is understood to mean the transport of a value note between the input and output compartment, the collection receptacle and / or the recycling receptacle. Thus, when the predetermined amount is paid out, the value note transports represent, on the one hand, the transport of notes of value from the recycling receptacles to the input and output units, i.e. the transport of the notes of value to be paid out, and, on the other hand, the transport of notes of value from the recycling receptacles to an intermediate storage facility and / or the collective receptacle so that the notes of the optimal bundle of notes can also be issued.

It is also advantageous if the control unit determines, as a function of at least one preset validity feature for at least one possible bundle of notes, whether the possible bundle of notes is a valid bundle of notes. In particular, the control unit determines their validity in each case for all possible bundles of notes that are determined and only takes into account the bundles of notes that are valid when determining the optimum bundle of notes. Thus, the invalid bundles of notes do not even have to be taken into account when determining the optimal bundle of notes, so that the effort is considerably reduced.

The control unit uses, in particular, the total value of the respective possible bundle of notes and / or the number of notes of value in the bundle of notes of value as the validity features. The control unit classifies the respective possible bundle of banknotes as a valid bundle of banknotes only if its total value is at most as large as the predetermined amount and / or its number of banknotes is at most as large as a preset limit value. This ensures that no bundle of banknotes is issued whose total value is greater than the predetermined amount, i.e. greater than the desired amount Amount of the operator and that the bank notes to be issued are limited to the limit value.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the control unit determines the optimal bundle of notes in such a way that the total value of this bundle of notes corresponds to the preset amount. This ensures that, if possible, the operator also receives the desired amount.

If several possible bundles of banknotes have the preset amount, the control unit selects in particular that one of these possible bundles of banknotes as the optimal bundle of banknotes which has the lowest number of banknotes. For this purpose, the control unit compares in particular the number of notes of value in the individual bundles of notes.

If there are several possible bundles of banknotes that not only have the preset amount but also have the same smallest number of banknotes, it is advantageous if the control unit selects that of these possible bundles of banknotes as the optimal bundle of banknotes in which to issue the banknotes of the bank of banknotes the fewest number of notes are required.

It is thus achieved that, if possible, the bundle of banknotes is issued, the total value of which corresponds to the desired amount and comprises as few banknotes as possible and can be put together in a short time.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the control unit determines, in a first step, in particular with the aid of a combinatorial algorithm, a first valid bundle of banknotes and defines this first bundle of banknotes as the temporarily best bundle of banknotes. The temporarily best bundle of banknotes during this process sequence is in each case that bundle of banknotes which represents the best bundle of banknotes according to the preset criteria of the bundles of banknotes determined up to this point in time in the process.

In a second step, the control unit checks whether there is another valid bundle of notes. If this is the case, the control unit compares the further valid bundle of notes in a third step with the temporarily best bundle of notes and, depending on the preset criterion or criteria, determines which of the two bundles of notes is better in relation to the criterion or criteria . In a fourth step, the control unit defines the further valid bundle of banknotes as the temporarily best bundle of banknotes if the comparison in the third step has shown that the further valid bundle of banknotes is better than the temporarily best bundle of banknotes before the comparison. Otherwise, the control unit holds onto the bundle of notes that has been temporarily best up to that point unchanged. The second, third and fourth step are repeated by the control unit until no further valid bundle of notes can be determined with the aid of the combinatorial algorithm. The control unit then defines the best temporary bundle of notes at this point in time as the optimum bundle of notes, which is then paid out.

In the method described above, a new, valid bundle of banknotes is determined step by step and, on the basis of the criteria, a comparison is made as to whether this is better than the bundle of banknotes previously classified as the best of the previously determined bundles of banknotes. In this way, an approximation to the optimal bundle of notes is determined step by step, so that the optimum bundle of notes can be determined with as little effort as possible.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the first recycling receptacle serves as a temporary store in which, when the preset amount is paid out, notes of value are temporarily stored that are not intended for disbursement but are arranged in the payout sequence of one of the recycling receptacles in front of a note intended for payment. In an alternative embodiment, a separate buffer store can also be provided. It is also possible for one of the other recycling receptacles to serve as an intermediate store. Several recycling receptacles can also be used as intermediate storage.

The transport unit preferably transports those notes of value from a recycling receptacle that is not used as an intermediate store which are arranged in the output sequence of this recycling receptacle in front of a note of the optimal bundle of notes, initially into the buffer store and after removal of at least all of the notes of value from the optimal bundle of notes that are received in this recycling receptacle, again from the intermediate storage unit back into the recycling receptacle. In particular, the return transport from the intermediate store to the recycling receptacle only takes place after all the notes of value of the optimal bundle of notes have been transported to the input and output unit. Alternatively, the return transport can also take place step-by-step for each recycling receptacle after the notes of value have been removed from the optimal bundle of banknotes from this recycling receptacle.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the respective output sequence of the recycling receptacles is stored in the control unit. For each recycling receptacle, the control unit determines which notes of value have to be removed from this recycling receptacle in order to issue the optimal bundle of notes. The control unit controls the transport unit in such a way that it transfers the notes of value of the optimal bundle of notes to the input and output unit and the notes of value which are received in a recycling receptacle different from the intermediate store and are arranged in the output sequence of this recycling receptacle in front of a note of the optimal bundle of banknotes, transported into the intermediate store. If several notes of value of the optimal bundle of banknotes are arranged in the recycling receptacle and other notes of value not belonging to the optimal bundle of banknotes are arranged between these notes of value, after the banknote of the optimal bundle of banknotes arranged first in the output sequence has been transported to the input and output unit, which is between the Notes of the optimal bundle of banknotes arranged in the buffer are transported before the further banknotes of the optimal bundle of banknotes arranged in the output sequence after the first bank of banknotes of the optimal bundle of banknotes can then also be transported into the input and output unit.

After removing the notes of value from the optimal bundle of notes, the notes of value that were transported to the intermediate storage for the payout of the optimal bundle of notes are transported with the help of the transport unit back into the recycling receptacle from which they were previously removed. In an alternative embodiment, the notes of value transported in the buffer store can also be distributed to the recycling receptacles according to the same criteria as is done for a paid note of value. This has the advantage that optimal distribution takes place over the recycling receptacles and, in particular, the distribution is adapted to the changed output sequence of the individual recycling receptacles.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the notes of value are issued in such a way that the control unit initially controls the transport unit in such a way that the notes of value in the temporary store are in the order in which the temporary store was issued are arranged in front of a note of the optimal bundle of notes, are transported into the collective receptacle. The control unit then controls the transport unit in such a way that it transports the notes of value of the optimal bundle of notes, which are arranged in the buffer store, to the input and output unit. When all the notes of value of the optimal bundle of banknotes have been removed step by step in this way, the control unit controls the transport unit in such a way that the notes of value of the second recycling receptacle, which are arranged in the output sequence of the second recycling receptacle in front of a note of the optimal bundle of banknotes, are transported into the interim store .

This value note of the optimal value note bundle is then removed from the second recycling receptacle and transported to the input and output unit. After the notes of value of the optimal bundle of notes, which are received in the second recycling receptacle, have been transported into the input and output unit in this way, the control unit controls the transport unit in such a way that it returns the notes of value previously transported from the second recycling receptacle to the intermediate store transported back the second recycling receptacle. The notes of value transported from the intermediate storage, that is to say the first recycling receptacle, into the collecting receptacle inevitably remain in the latter. In this way it is achieved that first the notes of value of the optimal bundle of notes, which are received in the intermediate storage, are transported into the input and output unit, so that as few notes of value as possible have to be fed to the collecting receptacle and as many notes of value as possible for later payment To be available.

If more than two recycling receptacles are provided, the method described above takes place in particular step-by-step for the further recycling receptacles, before the notes of value transported into the intermediate storage are then redistributed to the respective recycling receptacles.

It is also advantageous if a filling limit is preset for the intermediate store, and if the control unit assigns an entered note to the intermediate store, i.e. the first recycling receptacle, as the target store if the current stock of the intermediate store is less than this filling limit. The filling limit is selected to be lower than the maximum storage capacity of the intermediate storage, so that by taking this filling limit into account when distributing the entered notes of value to the individual recycling receptacles, it is ensured that a predetermined capacity of the intermediate storage remains free for the intermediate storage of notes of value.

Further features and advantages of the invention emerge from the following description, which explains the invention in more detail on the basis of exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Darstellung einer Vorrichtung zur Handhabung von Wertscheinen gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform;

Fig. 2

eine schematische Darstellung einer Vorrichtung zur Handhabung von Wertscheinen gemäß einer zweiten Ausführungsform;

Fig. 3

ein Ablaufdiagramm eines Verfahrens zum Ermitteln eines Zielspeichers für einen eingegebenen Wertschein;

Fig. 4

ein Ablaufdiagramm eines Verfahrens zum Bestimmten eines optimalen Wertscheinbündels;

Fig. 5

eine Tabelle einer Konfiguration der Vorrichtung nach Figur 2;

Fig. 6

eine Tabelle einer Ausgangsbefüllung der Aufnahmebehälter der Vorrichtung nach Figur 2;

Fig. 7

eine Tabelle der Befüllung der Aufnahmebehälter nach der Einzahlung eines Wertscheinbündels;

Fig. 8

eine Tabelle der notwendigen Wertscheintransporte zur Auszahlung eines ersten vorbestimmten Betrages;

Fig. 9

eine Tabelle der notwendigen Wertscheintransporte zur Auszahlung eines zweiten voreingestellten Betrages;

Fig. 10

eine Tabelle der notwendigen Wertscheintransporte zur Ausgabe eines dritten vorbestimmten Betrages; und

Fig. 11

eine Tabelle der notwendigen Wertscheintransporte zur Auszahlung eines vierten vorbestimmten Betrages.

Show it:

Fig. 1

a schematic representation of a device for handling notes of value according to a first embodiment;

Fig. 2

a schematic representation of a device for handling notes of value according to a second embodiment;

Fig. 3

a flowchart of a method for determining a target memory for an entered note of value;

Fig. 4

a flowchart of a method for determining an optimal bundle of notes;

Fig. 5

a table of a configuration of the apparatus Figure 2 ;

Fig. 6

a table of an initial filling of the receiving container of the device Figure 2 ;

Fig. 7

a table of the filling of the receptacles after the deposit of a bundle of notes;

Fig. 8

a table of the necessary bill transports for paying out a first predetermined amount;

Fig. 9

a table of the necessary bill transports for paying out a second preset amount;

Fig. 10

a table of the necessary bill transports for issuing a third predetermined amount; and

Fig. 11

a table of the necessary bill transports for paying out a fourth predetermined amount.

In Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a device 10 for handling bank notes. The device 10 is, in particular, an automated teller machine into which both bank notes can be deposited and bank notes deposited can be paid out again. Such ATMs 10 are also known in particular as recycling ATMs. Alternatively, it can also be an automatic cash register system into which the customer and / or a cashier can enter notes of value to pay for selected goods and via which an amount of change and / or a desired payment amount can be issued.

The device 10 has an input and output unit 12, via which notes of value to be deposited can be entered and notes of value to be paid out can be output. Furthermore, the device 10 has a sensor unit 14, with the aid of which the authenticity of the entered notes of value can be determined and with the aid of which the denomination of the entered notes of value is determined.

In addition, the device 10 has a collecting receptacle 16, a first recycling receptacle 18 and a second recycling receptacle 20. The notes of value can be transported with the aid of a transport unit 24 between the input and output unit 12, the sensor unit 14, the collecting receptacle 16 and the recycling receptacles 18, 20.

The device 10 also has a control unit 26, with the aid of which the transport unit 24, the receptacles 16 to 20, the sensor unit 14 and / or the input and output unit 12 can be controlled.

The collecting receptacle 16 is designed in such a way that notes of value of all denominations of a predetermined currency rate to be handled with the aid of the device 10 can be received in it, but the banknotes once received in the collecting receptacle 16 cannot be removed again for payment. The collecting receptacle 16 can only be emptied manually, including a vault door of the safe in which the receptacles 16 to 20 are preferably accommodated must be opened and the collecting receptacle 16 must be removed. It is not possible to issue bank notes from the collecting receptacle 16 via the input and output unit 12. The collecting receptacle 16 is designed in particular in the form of a money cassette in which the received notes of value are received in the form of a bank of notes stack and in particular rest on their edges on a support surface. Alternatively, the collecting receptacle 16 can also comprise several cash cassettes.

The recycling receptacles 18, 20 are designed in such a way that notes of value can be received in them and the notes of value that have been received can also be dispensed again. The notes of value can thus be paid out again via the input and output unit 12, so that recycling of the notes of value is possible. The recycling receptacles 18, 20 each have a roller storage 28, 30, on which the notes of value received in the respective recycling receptacle 18, 20 are stored and wound between two foil strips on a winding drum. By appropriately winding and unwinding the foil strips, the notes of value can be picked up and also issued again in a simple manner. Thus, only those notes of value that are received in the recycling receptacles 18, 20 are available for payment of notes of value via the device 10. Here, the shown receptacles 18, 20 each have a fixed output sequence, which specifies the order in which the received notes of value in the recycling receptacle 18, 20 must necessarily be removed. In the case of the roller stores 28, 30, the output takes place in particular according to the “first-in-last-out” (FILO) principle.

In Figure 2 a schematic representation of a device 100 for handling bank notes according to a second embodiment is shown. Elements with the same structure or function are denoted by the same reference symbols.

The device 100 according to the second embodiment differs from the device 10 according to the first embodiment in that three recycling receptacles 18 to 22 are provided. In further alternative embodiments, more than three recycling receptacles 18 to 22, in particular four, five, six or seven recycling receptacles 18, 20, 22 can be provided, in each of which notes of value can be received and notes of value that have been received can be dispensed again.

The explanations given below about the control of the device 10, 100 and about the methods that are processed during the input of a note of value and for the issue of notes of value relate to both embodiments. To simplify the illustration, reference is made below to the second embodiment, that is to say the device 100 with three roller storage systems 18 to 22. The explanations apply accordingly to the embodiment with only two recycling receptacles 18, 20 and for devices 10, 100 with more than three recycling receptacles 18, 20, 22.

In the control unit 26, for each of the recycling receptacles 18, 20, 22 is stored the notes of value which denominations are to be received in it. Here, notes of value of two different denominations can be received in at least one of the recycling receptacles 18, 20, 22, so that mixed storage of notes of value takes place in these recycling receptacles 18, 22. In this way, compared to single-type storage, that is to say that only notes of value of exactly one denomination are received in a recycling receptacle 18, 20, 22, it is achieved that, although only three recycling receptacles 18, 20, 22 are provided, more than three Denominations can be reissued. In the first recycling receptacle 18 are in particular notes of value of a first and a second denomination, in the second recycling receptacle 20 notes of value of the second and a third denomination and 22 notes of value of a fourth denomination can be received in the third recycling receptacle. Based on a euro currency rate, the first recycling receptacle 18 holds in particular € 5 and € 10 notes of value, the second recycling receptacle 20 holds in particular € 10 and € 20 notes of value and the third recycling receptacle 22 only holds € 50 notes of value.

All notes of value that have a denomination that deviates from the four denominations that can be received in the recycling receptacles 18, 20, 22 are received in the collecting receptacle 16 and are not available again for payment. In relation to the euro currency rate, € 100, € 200 and € 500 notes of value that were entered via the input and output unit 12 are transported into the collecting receptacle 16 and stored in this until the collecting receptacle 16 is emptied manually.

In order to also be able to dispense bank notes of those denominations that are not arranged in the output sequence in the first place in the mixed storage of notes of value in a recycling receptacle 18, 20, it is necessary to place those in the output sequence in front of the first note of the desired denomination To take notes of value from the recycling receptacle 18, 20. In the present embodiment, therefore, the first recycling receptacle 18 also serves as a buffer, that is, in the event of a payout, notes of value that should not be paid out but must be removed from the other recycling receptacles 20, 22 due to their position in the output sequence, temporarily in the first recycling receptacle 18 are temporarily stored and then transported back into the recycling receptacle 20, 22 in which they were originally received. In an alternative embodiment, the second recycling receptacle 20 and / or the third recycling receptacle 22 serve as a temporary storage facility. Furthermore, it is alternatively possible that several recycling receptacles 18, 20, 22 are used as intermediate storage, in particular that the notes of value that are not to be issued are transported between the recycling receptacles 18, 20, 22 as required in order to receive one in the payment sequence to allow a value note arranged at the back.

The recycling receptacles 18 to 22 and the collecting receptacle 16 each have a maximum holding capacity which indicates the maximum number of notes of value that can be held in the recycling receptacle 18 to 22 or in the collecting receptacle 16. The respective recording capacities are in particular also stored in the control unit 26. Furthermore, the current stock of the recycling receptacles 18, 20, 22 and the collection receptacle 16 is stored in the control unit 26, at least in the case of the recycling receptacles 18, 20, 22 in which mixed storage takes place, not only the number of notes of value received, but also the order of which is stored in the respective recycling receptacle 18 to 22, so that it is always known at which point in the issuing order a note of which denomination is located.

In particular, an adjustable configuration is stored in the control unit 26 for each recycling receptacle 18 to 22, in which at least the denominations assigned to the respective recycling receptacle 18 to 22 and the maximum capacity of the respective recycling receptacle 18 to 22 are defined for each recycling receptacle 18 to 22.

In the case of the recycling receptacle 18 serving as an intermediate storage, i.e. the first recycling receptacle 18, the value of a shift buffer can also be stored, which indicates how many notes of value can be received in the buffer storage 18 at least for the temporary storage of notes of value. The reallocation buffer thus indicates the difference between the maximum receiving capacity of the intermediate store and a filling limit, the filling limit indicating the stock with which the intermediate store is maximally filled with notes of value to be stored permanently. The reallocation buffer thus indicates the at least temporarily storable notes of value in the temporary store 18.

In addition, for at least one of those recycling receptacles 18 to 22 in which mixed storage takes place, in the configuration of this recycling receptacle 18 to 22 it can be stored in the control unit which of the denominations that can be received in the respective recycling receptacles 18 to 22 is a preferred denomination. In this case, in particular, an overlap value is preset which indicates how many notes of value of a different denomination than this preferred denomination may be arranged in the output sequence of the corresponding recycling receptacle 18 to 22 in front of the first note of the preferred denomination, seen in the output sequence. The preferred denomination is, in particular, a denomination that has to be issued frequently. The excess value is intended to ensure that, in order to issue a note of this preferred denomination, a maximum of the number of notes of value of other denominations specified by the excess value must be transported into the buffer store. In particular, the value of the reallocation buffer is greater than the overlap value.

In Figure 3 a flow chart of a method for determining the target memory for a note entered via the input and output unit 12 is shown. After the method has been started in step S10, the input and output unit 12 is initially set as the target memory in step S12 for all entered notes of value. The target memory specifies that receptacle 12, 16, 18 to 22 in which the entered value note is returned after the procedure has ended Figure 3 should be included.

In step S14, the current stock of the collecting receptacle 16 stored in the control unit 26 is compared with the maximum holding capacity of the collecting receptacle 16. If the comparison shows that the maximum capacity of the collective receptacle 16 has not yet been reached, then in step S16 the collective receptacle 16 is defined as the target memory for the entered note. Then, in step S18, one of the recycling receptacles 18 to 22 is selected in order to check whether the note should be received in this recycling receptacle 18 to 22. If it was determined in step S14 that the maximum stock of the collective receptacle 16 has already been reached, then the process continues directly with step S18, i.e. that the input and output unit 12 is initially retained as the target memory.

The selection of the recycling receptacle 18 to 22 in step S18 follows in particular in a preset sequence of the recycling receptacle 18 to 22. In particular, the first recycling receptacle 18 is selected first. In an alternative embodiment, the selection of the recycling receptacle 18 to 22 can also be made randomly or according to a preset algorithm.

In the subsequent step S20, it is determined whether the entered value note can be received at all in the selected recycling receptacle 18 to 22. For this purpose, it is first of all checked in particular whether the selected recycling receptacle 18 to 22 has already been completely filled, ie the current inventory is compared with its maximum receptacle capacity. A comparison is also made as to whether the denomination of the entered note of value, which was determined in particular via the sensor unit 14, is one of the denominations that the selected recycling receptacle 18 to 22 are assigned. If one of the two comparisons shows that the maximum storage capacity has already been reached and / or that the denomination of the entered note of value does not correspond to any of the denominations assigned to the selected recycling receptacle 18 to 22, then the value note cannot be accepted in the selected recycling receptacle 18 to 22 and the process continues with step S22.

If one of the denominations that can be accommodated in it is preset as the preferred denomination for the selected recycling receptacle 18 to 22 and if the entered note does not correspond to the preferred denomination, a check is also made in step S20 to determine whether the receipt of the entered note of value in the selected recycling receptacle 18 to 22 the excess coverage would be exceeded. If this is the case, the entered bill of value cannot be received in the selected recycling receptacle 18 to 22 either, and the method is also continued in step S22.

If the selected recycling receptacle 18 to 22 is the intermediate storage, ie, in the exemplary embodiments according to FIGS Figures 1 and 2 If the first recycling receptacle 18 is concerned, the control unit 26 also checks whether the filling limit would be exceeded by the acceptance of the entered note of value in the selected recycling receptacle 18 to 22, ie whether the shift buffer would be undershot. If this is the case, the method is also continued with step S22, that is to say that in this case too the note cannot be received in the selected recycling receptacle 18 to 22.

Furthermore, in step S20, it can also be checked whether the value note entered is genuine and whether the value note entered is recyclable. This check takes place in particular with the aid of features of the determined via the sensor unit S14 Value. If it turns out that the value note is not genuine and / or that the value note is not recyclable, then the value note cannot be received in the selected recycling receptacle 18 to 22 either and the method is also continued with step S22. The authenticity and / or the recyclability of the entered banknote can also be checked before the start of the method for determining the target memory. In this case, no corresponding check is necessary in step S20.

Only if it has been determined in step S20 that the selected recycling receptacle 18 to 22 is not completely filled, the denomination of the entered value note corresponds to one of the denominations assigned to the selected recycling receptacle 18 to 22, the banknote is genuine and recyclable because the banknote is received in selected recycling receptacle 18 to 22 the value of the possibly preset overlap buffer is not exceeded and the inclusion of the entered note of value in the selected recycling receptacle 18 to 22 does not fall below the possibly preset shifting buffer, the method continues with step S24.

In step S24, the selected recycling receptacle 18 to 22 is compared with the receptacle 12, 16, 18, 20, 22 previously defined as the target store and, based on preset criteria, it is determined whether the selected recycling receptacle 18 to 22 is "better" than the previous target store.

As a criterion, the first thing that is compared is in particular whether a single-type storage of the denomination of the entered banknote or mixed storage takes place in the target store and in the selected recycling receptacle 18 to 22. A recycling receptacle 18 to 22, in which the denomination is stored by type, becomes a receptacle in each case 18 to 22, in which mixed storage takes place, that is to say that that recycling receptacle 18 to 22 is determined as the better intermediate storage in which single-type storage takes place.

If this criterion cannot be used to determine whether the selected recycling receptacle 18 to 22 or the receptacle 12, 16, 18 to 22 previously defined as a temporary storage facility is the better choice, then in a next step it is compared for the receptacle to be compared whether there is a preferred denomination and a corresponding coverage value are preset. In this case, that recycling receptacle 18 to 22 serves as a better choice in which no preferred denomination and no coverage value are preset or in which the coverage value has the value 0. That receiving container 18 to 22 is selected as a better target memory, in which therefore no coverage value is preset.

If this criterion also cannot be used to determine which of the two receiving containers 12, 16, 18 to 22 to be compared is the better target store, the next step is to determine the length of the respective transport routes required to transport the incoming bank notes from the input and output unit 12 compared to the recycling receptacles 18 to 22 to be compared. The receptacle 12, 16, 18 to 22 that has a shorter transport route is considered to be a better choice.

If it was determined in step S24 that the selected recycling receptacle 18 to 22 is the better intermediate storage, this recycling receptacle 18 to 22 is defined as an intermediate storage and the method is continued in step S22. If, on the other hand, the previously defined target memory is the better choice, the method is continued directly in step S22 without the definition of the target memory being changed.

In step S22, the control unit 26 determines whether a further recycling receptacle 18 to 22 which has not yet been selected is present. If this is the case, one of the recycling receptacles 18 to 22 not previously selected and compared is selected in step S28 and the method is continued again in step S20. If, on the other hand, step S22 shows that all existing recycling receptacles 18 to 22 have already been selected beforehand and compared as a possible target memory with the previously applicable target memory in steps S20 and S24, the method is continued in step S30, in which the transport of the banknote in the specified destination memory. The method is then ended in step S32.

The previously described method for determining the target memory ensures that the entered note of value is stored in a simple manner with little effort, if possible, in a recycling receptacle 18 to 22, in which bank notes of this denomination are sorted by type. If this is not possible, the note is stored in a recycling receptacle 18 to 22, in which mixed storage, which includes the denomination of the note entered, takes place. If this is not possible either, the entered value note is received in the collective receptacle 16. If, on the other hand, the value note cannot be received in any of the recycling receptacles 18 to 22 and also not in the collection receptacle 16 due to the aforementioned criteria, it is transported to the input and output unit 12 and returned to the operator.

This distribution of the notes of value to the individual receptacles 16 to 22 according to the criteria described above ensures that the notes of value for an effective payout, as will be done below in connection with the Figures 4 to 11 are available and thus a simple one and fast payout is possible. Furthermore, the previously described distribution of the notes of value depending on the criteria mentioned, i.e. a variable assignment of the notes of value to the individual recycling receptacles 18 to 22, means that the device 10, 100 only rarely has to be emptied, which reduces the effort and the associated costs be reduced.

In an alternative embodiment, in steps S20 and / or S24, only some of the criteria described above for determining whether a note can be received in the selected recycling receptacle 18 to 22 or used to determine the better target memory. Alternatively, other criteria can also be used.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the collecting receptacle 16 cannot be checked in advance as a possible target memory in a separate step S14 before checking the recycling receptacles 18 to 22 in steps S20 and S24, but can be treated in exactly the same way as the recycling receptacles 18 to 22. In this case, steps S14 and S16 are omitted and it is necessary to check in step S24 as a criterion for the better choice, as a first step before the other criteria, whether the receptacle 16 to 22 is a collecting receptacle 16 or a recycling receptacle 18 to 22 acts. Each valid recycling receptacle 18 to 22 is considered to be the better choice over a collection receptacle 16.

In Figure 4 is a flowchart of a method for the payment of a desired predetermined amount shown, initially in connection with Figure 4 the general process is described before the underlying mathematical methods are described.

In this application, the predetermined amount is in particular that amount which is desired by an operator of the device 10, 100, i.e. the amount which is to be paid out. In this case, the predetermined amount is entered in particular by the operator with the aid of an input unit (not shown) of the device 10, 100. If the device 10, 100 is an automatic cash register system, the predetermined amount can also be an amount of change that is automatically determined by the control unit 26 on the basis of the notes of value entered to pay an amount to be paid.

After the method has been started in step S100, a temporarily best bundle of banknotes is defined as undefined in step S102. The payment of the desired amount can, as described above, only take place with the help of notes of value that are received in the recycling receptacles 18 to 22. As a rule, a desired amount can be given out in different denominations. In particular, through the mixed storage it is also possible that the composition of the same denomination is also possible using different physical notes of value, i.e. that different recycling receptacles 18 to 22 can be taken from different notes of value to dispense the same denomination.

In the context of the application, a bundle of banknotes is therefore understood to mean that with this bundle of banknotes it is precisely defined which banknote is to be removed from which recycling receptacle 18 to 22. The temporarily best bundle of notes is the bundle of notes that was used during the in connection with Figure 4 at the respective point in time of the procedure, based on preset criteria, represents the bundle of notes rated as the best. After the entire process has been completed, the temporarily best bundle of banknotes at this point in time is selected as the optimal bundle of banknotes and later issued to the operator via input and output unit 20. The optimal bundle of notes is hereby that bundle of notes that best meets the preset criteria of all bundles of notes that are possible for paying out the desired amount.

What is meant by an undefined bundle of banknotes is in particular that it has not yet been determined which banknote is to be removed from which recycling receptacle 18 to 22 in order to dispense the desired amount.

Then, in step S102, the control unit 26 checks whether a possible bundle of notes for issuing the predetermined amount can be determined. If it is not possible to determine a bundle of banknotes with the aid of which the desired predetermined amount or a smaller amount than the predetermined amount can be issued, the method continues in step S106, in which it is determined that no bundle of banknotes can be issued. In particular, a message about this is output to the operator via a display unit before the method is ended in step S108.

If, on the other hand, it was determined in step S104 that a possible bundle of banknotes could be determined, then this possible bundle of banknotes is defined as the temporarily best bundle of banknotes in step S110.

In step S104, the control unit 26 systematically determines bundles of banknotes, in particular with the aid of a preset combinatorial algorithm, and uses preset criteria to check whether this bundle of banknotes is suitable to be issued for paying out the predetermined amount. If this is the case, a possible bundle of notes will be selected. In particular, the total amount of the determined bundle of notes is calculated as a criterion and compared with the predetermined amount. Is the total value of the bundle of notes less than or equal to the total value, the next step is to determine how many bill transports would be necessary to issue the bundle of bills. This number of necessary bill transports is compared with a preset limit value which specifies the maximum number of bill transports allowed for issuing a bundle of notes. If this comparison also shows that the number of necessary bill transports is less than the limit value, the determined bundle of bills is a possible bundle of bills and this possible bundle of bills is initially set as the best bundle of bills temporarily in step S110. If, on the other hand, it was determined that the number of necessary bill transports is above the limit value and / or the total value of the bundle of bills determined is greater than the predetermined amount, the bundle of bills determined is not a possible bundle of bills that could be issued to the operator .

After the determined possible bundle of banknotes has been determined in step S110 as the temporarily best bundle of banknotes, it is determined in step S112 whether a further possible bundle of banknotes exists. In particular, the same criteria are applied here as previously in step S104.

If a further possible bundle of banknotes could be determined in step S112, it is determined in step S114 whether the further possible bundle of banknotes is better than the temporarily best bundle of banknotes at this point in time. For this purpose, a large number of criteria, described in more detail below, are preferably defined, by means of which the possible bundle of notes is compared with the temporarily best bundle of notes. If the comparison in step S114 shows that the further possible bundle of banknotes is better than the temporarily best bundle of banknotes, then the further possible bundle of banknotes is defined as the temporarily best bundle of banknotes in step S116 before the method is then continued with step S112.

If, on the other hand, it is determined in step S114 that the previously best value note bundle is better than the further possible value note bundle, then the temporarily best value note bundle is retained and the method is also continued in step S112.

If it is determined in step S112 that a further possible bundle of banknotes exists, the method is continued in step S118 with the fact that the temporarily best bundle of banknotes at this point in time is defined as the optimal bundle of banknotes, which is then determined in step S120 via the input and output unit 12 is output before the method is ended in step S108.

To determine which of the bundles of notes to be compared is the better bundle of notes in step S114, the total amounts of the bundles of notes to be compared are first compared with one another. The bundle of notes whose total value is greater is deemed to be the better bundle of notes.

If both bundles of notes compared have the same total amount, so that it cannot be decided on the basis of this criterion which is the better bundle of notes, then in a next step the number of notes of note bundles is compared with one another. The bundle of notes that has fewer notes of value is selected as the better bundle of notes.

If the two bundles of banknotes also have the same number of banknotes, then in a next step it is determined how many banknotes transports within the device 10, 100 would each be necessary to issue the two bundles of banknotes. This bundle of notes is considered to be the better bundle of notes viewed, in which fewer notes of value have to be transported within the device.

If this criterion is also not sufficient to determine which bundle of banknotes is better, in particular the bundle of banknotes that is temporarily best at this point in time is retained and the method is continued with step S112.

In an alternative embodiment, further criteria can also be used for assessing the better bundle of notes. Likewise, only some of the criteria mentioned above can be used or the criteria can be processed one after the other in a sequence other than the order mentioned above.

The method described above ensures that, if possible, a bundle of banknotes is issued, the total amount of which corresponds exactly to the predetermined amount, which comprises as few banknotes as possible and which can be issued as quickly as possible, since as few banknote transports are necessary for issuing.

A special embodiment of the previously generally described method is described below using a mathematical model that is intended to illustrate the method in more detail. Instead of bundles of notes, denominations are used here.

One denomination S. ₌ { S ₁ , S ₂ , ... S _M } is defined as a set of the subdivisions S _i (1 i M ) of individual notes of value, where M is the number of recycling receptacles 18 to 22. As already described above, in the case of recycling receptacles 18 to 22 in which mixed storage takes place, it can happen that a note of a required denomination of notes of value of others Denominations is hidden, that is, in the order of issue of notes of the other denominations are arranged in front of them. The respective subdivisions S _i should contain this information and are therefore defined as: $$\begin{array}{cc}{\mathrm{S.}}_i=\left\{a_{\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="1"\; label="i"\; filenames="imgf0005.png,imgf0006.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">i</figure-callout>}1},a_{\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="2"\; label="i"\; filenames="imgf0005.png,imgf0006.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">i</figure-callout>}2},...,a_{{\mathit{<figure-callout\; id="1"\; label="il\; i"\; filenames="imgf0005.png,imgf0006.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">il</figure-callout>}}_i}\right\}& \left(1\le i\le \mathrm{M.}\right)\end{array}$$

The variable l _i here corresponds to the number of notes of value that are to be moved out of the respective recycling receptacle i. Position 1 corresponds to the first note in the output sequence of the respective recycling receptacle 18 to 22, position 2 to the second note in the output sequence, etc.

• a_ij =1
  Der Wertschein auf der Position j innerhalb des Recyclingaufnahmebehälters i soll in dem ausgegebenen Wertscheinbündel erhalten sein,
• a_ij =0
  Der Wertschein an der Position j innerhalb des Recyclingaufnahmebehälters i soll in dem ausgegebenen Wertscheinbündel nicht enthalten sein.

The variable a _ij (1 ≤ i ≤ M , 1 ≤ j ≤ l _i ) can have the following two values:

• a _ij = 1
  The value note in position j within the recycling receptacle i should be received in the value note bundle issued,
• a _ij = 0
  The value note at position j within the recycling receptacle i should not be contained in the value note bundle issued.

These notes of value must be transported out of the recycling receptacle i into the intermediate container so that at least one note, which is arranged in the order of issue and which is part of the bundle of notes to be issued, can be removed. For this reason the equation ∀ j | applies a _ij = 0 ∃ k | k > j ∨ a _ik = 1
Thus the variable a _li always has the value 1.

• N_i (1 ≤ i ≤ M)

In the control unit 26, data with the following information are stored at least for all recycling receptacles 18 to 22:

• N _i (1 ≤ i ≤ M )

• w_ij (1≤i≤M) (1≤j≤N_i )

This variable corresponds to the number of recyclable notes of value that can be removed from the recycling receptacle i. As a rule, this number corresponds to the inventory of the recycling receptacle i of notes of value.

• w _ij (1≤ i ≤ M ) (1≤ j ≤ N _i )

This variable w _ij corresponds to the denomination of the banknote at position j in the order in which the recycling receptacle i is issued. Position 1 corresponds, as already described above, to the first note in the order of issue, etc.

• B( S ) entspricht dem Gesamtwert der Gesamtstückelung S und wird berechnet als $$B\left(\bar{S}\right)={\displaystyle \sum _{i=1}^M\left({\displaystyle \sum _{j=1}^{l_i}{w}_{\mathit{ij}}\cdot a_{\mathit{ij}}}\right)}$$
  
• N_T ( S ) repräsentiert die Anzahl der zur Ausgabe der Gesamtstückelung S notwendigen Wertscheintransporte und wird nach der Formel $$N_T\left(\bar{S}\right)={\displaystyle \sum _{i=1}^M\left(l_i\right)\mathrm{berechnet}.}$$
  
• N_A ( S ) repräsentiert die Anzahl an Wertscheinen des entsprechenden Wertscheinbündels und wird nach folgender Formel berechnet: $$N_A\left(\bar{S}\right)={\displaystyle \sum _{i=1}^M\left({\displaystyle \sum _{j=1}^{l_i}{a}_{\mathit{ij}}}\right)}$$
  
• N_I ( S ) repräsentiert die Anzahl der intern, d.h. innerhalb der Vorrichtung 10, 100, bewegten Wertscheine. Die Formel hierfür lautet: $$N_I\left(\bar{S}\right)=N_T\left(\bar{S}\right)-N_A\left(\bar{S}\right)={\displaystyle \sum _{i=1}^M\left(l_i-{\displaystyle \sum _{j=1}^{l_i}{a}_{\mathit{ij}}}\right)}$$
  

For further determination of the total denomination S. the following functions are defined:

• B ( S. ) corresponds to the total value of the total denomination S. and is calculated as $$\mathrm{B.}\left(\overline{\mathrm{S.}}\right)={\displaystyle \sum _{i=1}^{\mathrm{M.}}\left({\displaystyle \sum _{j=1}^{l_i}{w}_{\mathit{ij}}\cdot a_{\mathit{ij}}}\right)}$$
  
• N _T ( S. ) represents the number of times the total denomination is output S. necessary notes transport and is according to the formula $$N_T\left(\overline{\mathrm{S.}}\right)={\displaystyle \sum _{i=1}^{\mathrm{M.}}\left(l_i\right)\mathrm{calculated}.}$$
  
• N _A ( S. ) represents the number of notes of value in the corresponding bundle of notes and is calculated using the following formula: $$N_{\mathrm{A.}}\left(\overline{\mathrm{S.}}\right)={\displaystyle \sum _{i=1}^{\mathrm{M.}}\left({\displaystyle \sum _{j=1}^{l_i}{a}_{\mathit{ij}}}\right)}$$
  
• N _I ( S. ) represents the number of notes of value moved internally, ie within the device 10, 100. The formula for this is: $$N_{\mathrm{I.}}\left(\overline{\mathrm{S.}}\right)=N_T\left(\overline{\mathrm{S.}}\right)-N_{\mathrm{A.}}\left(\overline{\mathrm{S.}}\right)={\displaystyle \sum _{i=1}^{\mathrm{M.}}\left(l_i-{\displaystyle \sum _{j=1}^{l_i}{a}_{\mathit{ij}}}\right)}$$
  

First, an undefined result is considered the optimal denomination S. _opt accepted. Subsequently, in a loop with the aid of a denomination generation algorithm stored in the control unit 26, a valid overall denomination is identified as a candidate S. _c generated and with the current optimal denomination S. _opt compared. Becomes the candidate S. _c according to the comparison criteria described below as better than the current optimal denomination S. _{opt is} viewed S. _opt through S. _c replaced. The loop is repeated until the control unit 26 has no further candidates with the aid of the denomination generation algorithm S. _c can generate. In this case represents S. _opt the optimal total denomination.

• Anzahl der auszahlungsfähigen Wertscheine aller Recyclingaufnahmebehälter i: N_i (1≤i≤M)
• Denominationen sämtlicher auszahlungsfähiger Wertscheine in den Recyclingaufnahmebehältern i $$\begin{array}{ccc}{w}_{\mathit{ij}}& \left(1\le i\le M\right)& \left(1\le j\le N_i\right)\end{array}$$
  
• gewünschter vorbestimmter Betrag B, der ausgezahlt werden soll
• maximale Anzahl an Wertscheinen, die zur Auszahlung des vorbestimmten Betrages B in der Vorrichtung 10, 20 bewegt werden dürfen $N_I^{\max }$
  

The denomination generation algorithm is responsible for generating all valid overall denominations. Data with the following information is stored in the control unit 26:

• Number of banknotes that can be paid out in all recycling receptacles i: N _i (1≤ i ≤M)
• Denominations of all redeemable notes of value in the recycling receptacles i $$\begin{array}{ccc}{w}_{\mathit{<figure-callout\; id="1"\; label="ij"\; filenames="imgf0005.png,imgf0006.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">ij</figure-callout>}}& \left(1\le i\le \mathrm{M.}\right)& \left(1\le j\le N_i\right)\end{array}$$
  
• desired predetermined amount B to be paid out
• Maximum number of notes of value that may be moved in the device 10, 20 for the payment of the predetermined amount B $N_{\mathrm{I.}}^{\mathrm{Max}}$
  

1. 1. B( S _c )≤B,
   d.h., dass der vorbestimmte Betrag B höchstens so groß wie der Gesamtwert der Gesamtstückelung S _c ist.
2. 2. $N_I\left({\bar{S}}_c\right)\le N_I^{\max },$
   
   
   d.h., dass die Anzahl der intern zu bewegenden Wertscheine für die Auszahlung des optimalen Wertscheinbündels den Wert $N_I^{\max }$
   
   nicht überschreiten darf.

The total denomination S. _c is a valid denomination if the following conditions are met:

1. 1. B ( S. _c ) ≤ B ,
   ie that the predetermined amount B is at most as large as the total value of the total denomination S. _c is.
2. 2. $N_{\mathrm{I.}}\left({\overline{\mathrm{S.}}}_c\right)\le N_{\mathrm{I.}}^{\mathrm{Max}},$
   
   
   ie that the number of banknotes to be moved internally for the payout of the optimal bundle of banknotes has the value $N_{\mathrm{I.}}^{\mathrm{Max}}$
   
   must not exceed.

The generation of the candidates of the denominations takes place taking into account the aforementioned conditions, in particular with the aid of combinatorial methods. The knowledge of the previous best denomination in the loop when generating a next candidate enables a large number of theoretically possible combinations to be eliminated at an early stage, thereby reducing the number of candidates to be evaluated with the aid of the loop.

1. 1. Jede Stückelung ist besser als die undefinierte Stückelung: $${\bar{S}}_{\mathit{opt}}=\mathit{undefiniert}\Rightarrow {\bar{S}}_{\mathit{opt}}:={\bar{S}}_c$$
   
2. 2. Stückelung mit höherem Gesamtbetrag ist besser: $$B\left({\bar{S}}_c\right)>B\left({\bar{S}}_{\mathit{opt}}\right)\Rightarrow {\bar{S}}_{\mathit{opt}}:={\bar{S}}_c$$
   
3. 3. Stückelung mit weniger auszugebenden Wertscheinen ist besser: $$N_A\left({\bar{S}}_c\right)<N_A\left({\bar{S}}_{\mathit{opt}}\right)\Rightarrow {\bar{S}}_{\mathit{opt}}:={\bar{S}}_c$$
   
4. 4. Stückelung mit weniger insgesamt bewegten Wertscheinen ist besser: $$N_T\left({\bar{S}}_c\right)<N_T\left({\bar{S}}_{\mathit{opt}}\right)\Rightarrow {\bar{S}}_{\mathit{opt}}:={\bar{S}}_c$$
   

The comparison between S. _opt and the respective candidate S. _c takes place in particular according to the following criteria, whereby the criteria are evaluated one after the other and only so many criteria are evaluated in each case until it can be decided whether S. _opt or S. _{c is} the better denomination.

1. 1. Any denomination is better than the undefined denomination: $${\overline{\mathrm{S.}}}_{\mathit{opt}}=\mathit{undefined}\Rightarrow {\overline{\mathrm{S.}}}_{\mathit{opt}}:={\overline{\mathrm{S.}}}_c$$
   
2. 2. Denominations with a higher total amount are better: $$\mathrm{B.}\left({\overline{\mathrm{S.}}}_c\right)>\mathrm{B.}\left({\overline{\mathrm{S.}}}_{\mathit{opt}}\right)\Rightarrow {\overline{\mathrm{S.}}}_{\mathit{opt}}:={\overline{\mathrm{S.}}}_c$$
   
3. 3. Denominations with fewer bank notes to be issued are better: $$N_{\mathrm{A.}}\left({\overline{\mathrm{S.}}}_c\right)<N_{\mathrm{A.}}\left({\overline{\mathrm{S.}}}_{\mathit{opt}}\right)\Rightarrow {\overline{\mathrm{S.}}}_{\mathit{opt}}:={\overline{\mathrm{S.}}}_c$$
   
4. 4. Denominations with fewer bank notes moved in total are better: $$N_T\left({\overline{\mathrm{S.}}}_c\right)<N_T\left({\overline{\mathrm{S.}}}_{\mathit{opt}}\right)\Rightarrow {\overline{\mathrm{S.}}}_{\mathit{opt}}:={\overline{\mathrm{S.}}}_c$$
   

After the optimal denomination, i.e. the optimal bundle of banknotes was determined by the method described above, banknotes of the optimal bundle of banknotes are transported to the input and output unit 12 so that they can be output to the operator. Here, the notes of value are transported in particular according to the method described below.

In a first step, all notes of value of the optimal bundle of notes of value that are received in the intermediate store, that is to say the first recycling receptacle 18, become the input and output unit 12 transported. Those notes of value that are arranged in front of at least one of these notes of value in the order of issue are transported in the collecting receptacle 16 so that the notes of value of the optimal bundle of notes can be removed from the buffer store 18 at all.

Then step by step, i.e. Recycling receptacles 20, 22 for recycling receptacles 20, 22, in each case those notes of value of the optimal bundle of notes which are received in the respective recycling receptacles 18 to 22 are transported to the input and output unit 12, the notes of value arranged in the output sequence in front of this note of the optimal bundle of notes in each case in the Buffer 18 are transported. In the control unit 26, in particular, data with information about which bill of value was transported from which recycling receptacle 20, 22 into the intermediate store 18 is stored.

After all the notes of value of the optimal bundle of notes have been transported to the input and output unit 12, those notes of value that were previously received in the intermediate store 18 are transported back into the recycling receptacle 20, 22 from which they were previously removed. In an alternative embodiment, the notes of value received in the intermediate store 18 can also be used in connection with Figure 3 described method are distributed to the recycling receptacles 18 to 22.

In the following, in connection with the Figures 5 to 11 the distribution of the entered notes of value to the receptacles 16 to 22 and the payment of various preset amounts are described using several examples. In Figure 5 the configuration of the recycling receptacles 18 to 22 is shown here, with the denominations assigned to the respective recycling receptacles 18 to 22 in the second column are specified. Thus, in the first recycling receptacle 18 5 € and 10 € notes of value, in the second recycling receptacle 20 € 10 and 20 € notes and in the third recycling receptacle 22 exclusively 50 € notes of value. In the third column an optionally preset preferred denomination is given, in the fourth column the respective coverage value and in the fifth column a possibly preset value of a reallocation buffer.

In the embodiment according to Figure 5 a preferred denomination, namely € 5, is preset only for the first recycling receptacle 18, the cover value being preset to 5 notes of value. The first recycling receptacle 18 also serves as a temporary store, with a shifting buffer of 5 notes of value being preset.

In Figure 6 a table of the stocks of the recycling receptacles 18 to 22 is shown, the order in which the notes of value received are given in the second column and the number of notes of value that can still be taken up in the third column.

The following describes how to use the procedure according to Figure 3 a bundle of banknotes with banknotes 50 €, 10 €, 20 €, 10 €, 10 €, 10 €, 5 €, 10 €, 5 € is distributed to the receptacles 16, 18 to 22.

The € 50 note is received in the third recycling receptacle 22, since it can still hold 5 notes of value and is therefore not full and € 50 notes of value are stored in it, sorted by type.

The first € 10 note is received in the second recycling receptacle 20. Both the first recycling receptacle 18 as well as the second recycling receptacle 20 are provided for holding 10 € notes of value, and both recycling receptacles 18, 20 also have free reception capacities. Since no preferred denomination is preset for the second recycling receptacle 20, this is preferred to the first recycling receptacle 18 and is thus determined as the target storage for this € 10 note.

The following € 20 note of the bundle is received in the second recycling receptacle 20, since this is not yet full and € 20 notes are assigned to this recycling receptacle.

The following € 10 banknote is also received in the second recycling receptacle 20, since this is not completely filled and since no preferred denomination is preset in it.

The now following € 10 note of the bundle of notes to be paid in is received in the first recycling receptacle 18. The second recycling receptacle 20 has reached its maximum capacity through the previously described reception of the € 10 value note, the € 20 value note and the subsequent € 10 value note, so that it is no longer available for the reception of value notes. Thus, only the recycling receptacle 18 remains for the reception of the € 10 value note.

The now following € 10 note of the bundle of notes to be deposited is received in the collective receptacle 16. The € 10 note cannot be received in any of the recycling receptacles 18 to 22, since the third recycling receptacle 22 is only intended for the acceptance of 50 € notes of value, the second recycling receptacle 20 is already full and in the output sequence of the recycling receptacle 18 already 5 € 10 notes are placed in front of the first € 5 note in the order of issue, i.e. the first note of the preferred denomination. The pre-set surplus value would be exceeded by the inclusion of a large 10 € banknote.

The now following € 5 note of the deposited bundle of notes is received in the first buffer 18, since this is not yet completely filled and is configured for € 5 notes.

The now following € 10 note of the value note bundle entered is also received in the first recycling receptacle 18. In contrast to the last € 10 note of the bundle of notes entered, this can be taken up again in the first recycling receptacle 18, because by previously receiving the € 5 note, this € 5 note is now the first note in the issuing sequence and by taking up the € 10 Value so that the preset excess coverage is not exceeded.

The last banknote of the bundle of banknotes entered, i.e. the € 5 banknote, is received in the collective receptacle 16, since only 5 banknotes can be received in the only recycling receptacle 18 due to the previous acceptance of banknotes from the bundle of banknotes entered, which corresponds to the value of the shifting buffer. If the € 5 note were thus transported into the first recycling receptacle 18, the shift buffer would be undershot. Since the second and the third recycling receptacle 20, 22 are not intended to hold 5 € bank notes, these can only be received in the collecting receptacle 16. It is assumed here that the collecting receptacle 16 is not yet completely filled.

In Figure 7 shows a table of the order of issue and thus of the stocks of the recycling receptacles 18, 20, 22 after the previously described picking up of the notes of the entered bundle of notes.

In the Figures 8 to 11 are the respective value note transports for the payment of a certain amount of € 5, € 25, € 40 or € 95 based on the in Figure 7 The initial situation shown is specified as it is when determining the optimal bundle of notes according to the procedure Figure 4 would occur.

führen, d.h., dass zur Ausgabe von einem Betrag von 5€ derjenige 5€ Wertschein ausgegeben würde, der in dem ersten Aufnahmebehälter 18 an der zweiten Stelle angegeben ist. Hierzu wird, wie Figur 8 zu entnehmen ist, zunächst der in der Ausgabereihenfolge des ersten Recyclingaufnahmebehälters 18 als erstes angeordnete 10€ Wertschein in den Sammelaufnahmebehälter 16 transportiert, da der Recyclingaufnahmebehälter 18 selbst der Zwischenspeicher ist und somit zur Entnahme des in der Ausgabereihenfolge an zweiter Position angeordneten 5€ Wertscheins der diesen 5€ Wertschein überdeckende 10€ Wertschein in den Sammelaufnahmebehälter 16 transportiert werden muss. Anschließend wird der 5€ Wertschein von dem Recyclingaufnahmebehälter 18 zu der Eingabe- und Ausgabeeinheit 12 transportiert. Der zuvor in den Sammelaufnahmebehälter 16 transportierte 10€ Wertschein verbleibt in diesem.When the stocks run out Figure 7 If a predetermined amount of € 5 is to be spent, the procedure would follow Figure 4 to an optimal denomination of $\mathrm{S.}=\left\{\begin{array}{l}{\mathrm{S.}}_1=\left\{0.1\right\}\\ {\mathrm{S.}}_2=\left\{\right\}\\ {\mathrm{S.}}_3=\left\{\right\}\end{array}\right\}$

lead, that is to say that to issue an amount of € 5 that € 5 note would be issued that is specified in the first receptacle 18 in the second position. For this purpose, as can be seen in FIG. 8, the € 10 note arranged first in the output sequence of the first recycling receptacle 18 is first transported into the collection receptacle 16, since the recycling receptacle 18 itself is the intermediate storage and thus for the removal of the second position in the output sequence arranged € 5 value note of the € 5 value note covering the € 10 value note must be transported into the collective receptacle 16. The € 5 note is then transported from the recycling receptacle 18 to the input and output unit 12. The € 10 note previously transported into the collecting receptacle 16 remains in this.

d.h., dass die 25€ über den an zweiter Stelle in dem ersten Recyclingaufnahmebehälter 18 angeordneten 5€ Wertschein und den an zweiter Stelle in dem zweiten Recyclingaufnahmebehälter 20 angeordneten 20€ Wertschein ausgegeben werden. Hierzu wird zunächst der erste Wertschein des Recyclingaufnahmebehälters 18 in den Sammelaufnahmebehälter 16 transportiert, bevor der zweite Wertschein des ersten Recyclingaufnahmebehälters 18 zur Eingabe- und Ausgabeeinheit 12 transportiert wird. Anschließend wird der erste Wertschein des zweiten Recyclingaufnahmebehälters 20 in den ersten Recyclingaufnahmebehälter 18, als den Zwischenspeicher, transportiert, bevor der zweite Wertschein des zweiten Recyclingaufnahmebehälters 20 zur Ein- und Ausgabeeinheit 12 transportiert wird. Als letztes wird der zuvor in den ersten Recyclingaufnahmebehälter 18 transportierte Wertschein wieder zurück in den zweiten Recyclingaufnahmebehälter 20 transportiert.In Figure 9 are the value note transports for the payment of a predetermined amount of 25 € based on the situation in Figure 7 shown. The procedure after Figure 4 delivers an optimal bundle of notes $\mathrm{S.}=\left\{\begin{array}{l}{\mathrm{S.}}_1=\left\{0.1\right\}\\ {\mathrm{S.}}_2=\left\{0.1\right\}\\ {\mathrm{S.}}_3=\left\{\right\}\end{array}\right\}$

that is to say that the € 25 are dispensed via the € 5 note arranged in the second place in the first recycling receptacle 18 and the € 20 note arranged in the second place in the second recycling receptacle 20. To this end, the first bill of value of the recycling receptacle 18 is first transported into the collecting receptacle 16 before the second bill of value of the first recycling receptacle 18 is transported to the input and output unit 12. The first bill of value of the second recycling receptacle 20 is then transported into the first recycling receptacle 18, as the intermediate store, before the second bill of value of the second recycling receptacle 20 is transported to the input and output unit 12. Lastly, the note previously transported into the first recycling receptacle 18 is transported back into the second recycling receptacle 20.

führt, d.h., dass zur Ausgabe der 40€ der erste und der zweite 20€ Wertschein des zweiten Recyclingaufnahmebehälters 20 verwendet werden. Hierzu wird zunächst der erste Wertschein des zweiten Recyclingaufnahmebehälters 20 in den ersten Recyclingaufnahmebehälter 18 transportiert, bevor anschließend der zweite Wertschein des zweiten Recyclingaufnahmebehälters 20 zur Eingabe- und Ausgabeeinheit 12 transportiert wird. Danach wird der dritte Wertschein des Recyclingaufnahmebehälters 20 in den ersten Recyclingaufnahmebehälter 18 transportiert, bevor der vierte Wertschein des zweiten Recyclingaufnahmebehälters 20 zur Eingabe- und Ausgabeeinheit 12 transportiert wird. Anschließend werden die beiden zuvor in den ersten Recyclingaufnahmebehälter 18 transportierten Wertscheine wieder zurück in den zweiten Recyclingaufnahmebehälter 20 transportiert.In Figure 10 the bill transports for the payment of a predetermined amount of 40 € are shown, the method according to Figure 4 to an optimal bundle of notes $\mathrm{S.}=\left\{\begin{array}{l}{\mathrm{S.}}_1=\left\{\right\}\\ {\mathrm{S.}}_2=\left\{0,1,0.1\right\}\\ {\mathrm{S.}}_3=\left\{\right\}\end{array}\right\}$

leads, ie that the first and the second € 20 token of the second recycling receptacle 20 are used to issue the € 40. For this purpose, the first bill of value of the second recycling receptacle 20 is first transported into the first recycling receptacle 18, before the second bill of value of the second recycling receptacle 20 is then transported to the input and output unit 12. Then the third bill of the recycling receptacle 20 is transported into the first recycling receptacle 18 before the fourth bill of the second recycling receptacle 20 for input and output unit 12 is transported. Then the two notes of value previously transported into the first recycling receptacle 18 are transported back into the second recycling receptacle 20.

liefert. Zur Auszahlung der 95€ sollen somit der an zweiter Stelle in der Ausgabereihenfolge des ersten Recyclingaufnahmebehälters 18 angeordneter 5€ Wertschein, die ersten beiden 20€ Wertscheine des zweiten Recyclingaufnahmebehälters 20 und der erste 50€ Wertschein des dritten Aufnahmebehälters 22 ausgegeben werden.In Figure 11 the transport of notes for paying out a predetermined amount of € 95 is shown, the method according to Figure 4 the optimal bundle of notes $\mathrm{S.}=\left\{\begin{array}{l}{\mathrm{S.}}_1=\left\{0.1\right\}\\ {\mathrm{S.}}_2=\left\{0,1,0.1\right\}\\ {\mathrm{S.}}_3=\left\{1\right\}\end{array}\right\}$

supplies. To pay out the € 95, the € 5 note in the second place in the output sequence of the first recycling receptacle 18, the first two € 20 notes of the second recycling receptacle 20 and the first € 50 note of the third receptacle 22 should be issued.

The following transport of notes is necessary for this: First, the first note, i.e. the € 10 note from the first recycling receptacle 18, is transported to the collective receptacle 16, before the second note, i.e. the first € 5 note from the first recycling receptacle 18, is transported to the input and output unit 12 can be transported. The first bill of value of the second recycling receptacle 20 is then transported into the first recycling receptacle 18 before the second bill of value of the second recycling receptacle 20 is transported to the input and output unit 12. The third bill of value of the second recycling receptacle 20 is then transported into the first recycling receptacle 18 before the fourth bill of value of the second recycling receptacle 20 is transported to the input and output unit 12.

Then the first bill of value of the third recycling receptacle 22 is transported to the input and output unit 12, before the two notes of value previously transported from the second recycling receptacle 20 into the first recycling receptacle 18 are transported back into the second recycling receptacle 20 in the last step.

List of reference symbols

10, 100

contraption

12

Input and output unit

14th

Sensor unit

16

Collection receptacle

18, 20, 22

Recycling receptacle

24

Transport unit

26th

Control unit

28, 30

Roll storage

S10 to S120

Process step

Claims (14)

1. Apparatus for handling security papers,
   having an input and output unit (12) for inputting and outputting security papers,
   a sensor unit (14) for ascertaining the denomination of the input security papers,
   a transport unit (24) for transporting security papers,
   a collecting receptacle (16) for accommodating security papers, wherein this collecting receptacle (16) is in a form such that it is able to accommodate security papers of all denominations from a preset currency set and that only security papers are suppliable to the collecting receptacle (16) with the aid of the transport unit (24), and
   having a first recycling receptacle (18) and at least one second recycling receptacle (20), to which security papers are suppliable with the aid of the transport unit (24) and from which accommodated security papers are removable again and suppliable to the input and output unit (12) with the aid of the transport unit (24), characterized
   in that there is provision for a control unit (26) that stores, for each recycling receptacle (18, 20), which denominations are accommodatable therein, wherein security papers of a first and a second denomination are accommodatable in the first recycling receptacle (18) and security papers of a third denomination are accommodatable in the second recycling receptacle (20),
   in that the control unit (26), after the input of a security paper via the input and output unit (12), takes the denomination ascertained with the aid of the sensor unit (14) and takes a predetermined deposit algorithm as a basis for assigning the input and output unit (12), the collecting receptacle (16) or one of the recycling receptacles (18, 20) to the input security paper as destination store for accommodating the input security paper,
   in that the transport unit (24) transports the security paper to the destination store, and
   in that the control unit (26) outputs a preset sum by taking this sum and by taking a predetermined payment algorithm as a basis for ascertaining which security papers are removed from which recycling receptacles (18, 20) and output via the input and output unit (12),
   in that for at least one recycling receptacle (18, 20, 22), which have at least two associated denominations, at least one preferred denomination has a cover value preset for it in the control unit (26), which cover value indicates how many security papers of another denomination can be arranged in the output order before the first security paper of the preferred denomination in the output order, and in that the control unit (26) stipulates this recycling receptacle (18, 20, 22) as destination store for a security paper of a denomination different from the preferred denomination only if the accommodation of this security paper in this recycling receptacle (18, 20, 22) does not result in the cover value being exceeded.
2. Apparatus (10, 100) according to Claim 1, characterized in that there is provision for at least one third recycling receptacle (22), to which security papers are suppliable with the aid of the transport unit (24) and from which accommodated security papers are removable again and suppliable to the input and output unit (12) with the aid of the transport unit (24), and in that security papers of the second and third denominations are accommodatable in the second recycling receptacle (20) and exclusively security papers of a fourth denomination are accommodatable in the third recycling receptacle (22).
3. Apparatus (10, 100) according to either of the preceding claims, characterized in that a memory element of the control unit (26) stores program data of the deposit algorithm and program data of the payment algorithm, and in that the control unit (26) is configured to process the program data of the deposit algorithm in the event of a security paper being deposited and to process the program data of the payment algorithm in the event of payment.
4. Apparatus (10, 100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit (26) is configured
   to stipulate the input and output unit (12) as destination store in a first step,
   then to compare the current inventory of the collecting receptacle (16) with the maximum accommodation capacity thereof in a second step and to stipulate the collecting receptacle (16) as destination store if the result of this comparison is that the current inventory is lower than the maximum accommodation capacity,
   then to check in a third step whether the denomination of the input security paper is one of the denominations associated with the first recycling receptacle (18), and to stipulate the first recycling receptacle (18) as destination store if the denomination of the input security paper is associated with the first recycling receptacle (18) and if the current inventory of the first recycling receptacle (18) is lower than its maximum accommodation capacity,
   then to check in a fourth step whether the denomination of the input security paper is one of the denominations associated with the second recycling receptacle (20) and whether the current inventory is lower than the maximum accommodation capacity of the second recycling receptacle (20), and
   then to stipulate the second recycling receptacle (20) as destination store in a fifth step if the result of the comparison in the fourth step was that the denomination of the input security paper is one of the denominations associated with the second recycling receptacle (20) and that the current inventory is lower than the maximum accommodation capacity, and if the first recycling receptacle (18) was not stipulated as destination store in the third step.
5. Apparatus (10, 100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit (26) is configured to use the payment algorithm to take the divergence in the overall value of the security papers intended for payment from the predetermined sum, the number of security papers to be output to pay the predetermined sum, the number of security paper transports within the apparatus (10, 100) that are needed to output the predetermined sum and/or the inventories of security papers of the different denominations in the recycling containers (18, 20, 22) as a basis for stipulating which security papers are removed from which recycling receptacles (18, 20, 22) and output via the input and output unit (12).
6. Apparatus (10, 100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit (26) is configured to take the inventories of the recycling receptacles (18, 20, 22) as a basis for ascertaining at least two possible security paper bundles with the aid of which the specific sum is payable at least approximately, preferably exactly, and in that the control unit (26) is configured to take at least one preset criterion as a basis for ascertaining an optimum security paper bundle from the possible security paper bundles and to actuate the transport unit (24) such that it transports the security papers of the optimum security paper bundle to the input and/or output unit (12).
7. Apparatus (10, 100) according to Claim 6, characterized in that the control unit (26) is configured to take at least two preset criteria, preferably to take more than two preset criteria, as a basis for ascertaining the optimum security paper bundle.
8. Apparatus (10, 100) according to either of Claims 6 and 7, characterized in that the criterion or criteria are the divergence of the overall value of the respective possible security paper bundle from the predetermined sum, the number of security papers of the respective possible security paper bundle, the number of security paper transports within the apparatus (10, 100) that are needed to output the security papers of the respective possible security paper bundle and/or the inventories of security papers and the different denominations in the recycling receptacles (18, 20, 22).
9. Apparatus (10, 100) according to one of Claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the control unit (26) is configured to take at least one preset validity feature for a possible security paper bundle as a basis for ascertaining whether the possible security paper bundle is a valid security paper bundle, and in that the control unit (26) is configured to take into consideration exclusively the valid security paper bundles when ascertaining the optimum security paper bundle.
10. Apparatus (10, 100) according to one of Claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the control unit (26) is configured to ascertain the optimum security paper bundle such that the overall value of this security paper bundle corresponds to the preset sum.
11. Apparatus (10, 100) according to one of Claims 6 to 10, characterized in that the control unit (26) is configured
    to ascertains a first valid security paper bundle and to stipulate it as a temporarily best security paper bundle in a first step,
    to check in a second step whether a further valid security paper bundle exists,
    if a further valid security paper bundle does exist, to compare this further valid security paper bundle with the temporarily best security paper bundle in a third step and to take the preset criterion or the preset criteria as a basis for ascertaining which of the two security paper bundles is better with reference to the criterion or criteria,
    to stipulate the further valid security paper bundle as a temporarily best security paper bundle in a fourth step if the result of the comparison in the third step was that the further valid security paper bundle is better than the previously temporarily best security paper bundle, and otherwise to retain the temporarily best security paper bundle without alteration, and
    to repeat steps 2 to 4 until no further valid security paper bundle exists, and then to stipulate the then temporarily best security paper bundle as optimum security paper bundle.
12. Apparatus (10, 100) according to one of Claims 6 to 11, characterized in that the first recycling receptacle (18, 20, 22) serves as a buffer store, and in that the transport unit (24) is configured to transport those security papers of the other recycling receptacles (18, 20, 22) that are arranged before a security paper of the optimum security paper bundle in the output order of the respective recycling receptacle (18, 20, 22) to this buffer store (18) first, and to transport them from the buffer store (18) to the recycling receptacles (18, 20, 22) again after the removal of at least all security papers of the optimum security paper bundle that are accommodated in these recycling receptacles (18, 20, 22).
13. Apparatus (10, 100) according to Claim 12, characterized in that the control unit (26) is configured to actuate the transport unit (24) such that the transport unit first transports the security papers of the buffer store (18) that are arranged before a security paper of the optimum security paper bundle in the output order of the buffer store (18) to the collecting receptacle (16), then transports this security paper of the optimum security paper bundle to the input and output unit (12), thereafter, when all security papers of the optimum security paper bundle have been removed from the buffer store (18), transports the security papers of the second recycling receptacle (20) that are arranged before a security paper of the optimum security paper bundle in the output order of the second recycling receptacle (20) to the buffer store (18), then transports this security paper of the optimum security paper bundle to the input and output unit (12), and thereafter, when all security papers of the optimum security paper bundle have been removed from the second recycling receptacle (20), transports the security papers that were previously transported from the second recycling receptacle (20) to the buffer store (18) to the second recycling receptacle (20) again.
14. Apparatus (10, 100) according to either of Claims 12 and 13, characterized in that a fill limit is preset for the buffer store (18), and in that the control unit (26) is configured to assign the buffer store (18) to an input security paper as target store at most when the current inventory of the buffer store (18) is lower than the fill limit.

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