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Handling Technologies for Different-Sized
Banknotes for a Worldwide Recycling ATM
Kazushi Yoshida, Hitachi, Ltd.
Akira Nomiyama, Hitachi,
Ltd.
Junichi Tamamoto, Hitachi, Ltd.
Shingo Noro, Hitachi,
Ltd.
Riichi Kato, Hitachi-Omron Terminal Solutions Co. Ltd.
1. Outline
A worldwide recycling ATM that
can re-dispense deposited banknotes is in demand. Such recycling ATMs must
be able to accept and re-dispense different sized banknotes. It has been
impossible, however, to handle various sizes of banknotes because no
technologies are available that can stack and feed them. We have developed
new banknote-handling mechanisms that can handle different sizes so as to
create a worldwide recycling ATM. We have also developed a simulation
system that can predict the behavior of banknotes to increase the
reliability of the ATM.
2. Contents of Technologies
Figure 1 is a photo of the ATM we developed.
It includes a banknote-recycling module, a passbook printer, a
card-handling unit, and a PC card controller. The specific features of the
ATM are its large capacity and the afore-mentioned recycling
function.
Figure 2 shows the
banknote-recycling module, which mainly consists of a cash in/out slot, a
banknote validator, a temporary stacker, and cash recycling boxes. Paper
banknotes that are deposited by a customer into the cash in/out slot are
separated one by one, then fed to the temporary stacker via the validator,
which recognizes the denomination of each banknote and checks for
counterfeit money. When a customer confirms the total amount of money
indicated on the display, the banknotes are fed from the temporary stacker
to the cash boxes, where they are stacked according to the denomination.
These banknotes are then ready to be dispensed to other customers. From
the processing described, we can see that the cash in/out slot and the
temporary stacker have to handle different sized
banknotes
Figure
3 shows the banknote motion in the new sheet-stacking mechanism for
handling various sizes sheet in the cash in/out slot. The looped plastic
sheets and the stack guide deform the banknote into a wavy form to
generate a breaking force that ensures the banknotes are stopped
correctly. Owing to the breaking force, the banknotes stop as shown in
Fig. 3(a) after their trailing edge passes through a nip of stack rollers
A and B. Next, if the sensor detects the leading edge of the banknote that
follows, the sheet roller rotates 120 degrees. During the rotation, one of
the flat plastic sheets of the sheet roller hits the banknote between the
looped plastic sheet and the stack guide, as shown in Fig. 3(b). It does
this to push the banknote onto the stack and, thus, avoid a collision with
the following banknote.
Figure 4 shows a cutaway drawing of the
developed sheet-handling mechanism in the temporary stacker. The mechanism
has a simple structure consisting of a drum, a reel, and a tape between
them. It takes in banknotes by winding the tape and the sheets around the
drum together, and it discharges banknotes by rewinding the tape. The
sheet-handling mechanism not only stacks the different various sized
banknotes but also feeds them.
We also developed a simulation system
that can predict the behavior of a sheet passing through sheet handling
machinery by means of FEM. The system consists of a 3-dimensional CAD
system, solver with FEM, and a database for the FEM model of the sheet. By
using this system, the designer can modify the configuration or dimensions
of the guide plates or rollers according to the simulation results, as
shown in Fig. 5.
3. Conclusion
Our ATM is the first product in the world that can
dispense and deposit different sized banknotes. It enables customers
to deposit and transfer money by using a self-service terminal even when
the bank is closed. It can also improve financial security against
counterfeit money through the use of special recognition technology in the
bill validator. It will thus significantly improve the convenience and
efficiency of banking.
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