METHOD FOR PROCESSING VALUE DOCUMENTS, AND VALUE DOCUMENT PROCESSING SYSTEM

Abstract

A method for processing value documents and to a value document processing system, involve: ascertaining first identification data by means of which the value documents contained in at least one batch of value documents can be identified, in at least one value document processing device; transmitting the first identification data to an external computing device; ascertaining first sorting data in the external computing device by comparing the transmitted first identification data with specified second identification data by means of which value documents can be identified to be removed from circulation and/or remain in circulation; transmitting the first sorting data from the external computing device to the at least one value document processing device; and sorting the value documents contained in the at least one batch in the at least one value document processing device on the basis of the transmitted first sorting data.

Claims

1.-8. (canceled)

9. A method for processing valuable documents comprising the steps of: determining first identification data on the basis of which the valuable documents contained in at least one batch of valuable documents are identifiable, in at least one valuable document processing device, transmitting the first identification data via an Internet service, to an external computing device, determining first sorting data, which contain serial numbers, in the external computing device by comparing the transmitted first identification data with specified second identification data, on the basis of which valuable documents that should be withdrawn from circulation and/or should remain in circulation are identifiable, transmitting the first sorting data from the external computing device to the at least one valuable document processing device, and sorting the valuable documents contained in the at least one batch in the at least one valuable document processing device on the basis of the transmitted first sorting data.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the determination of the first identification data of the valuable documents and the sorting of the valuable documents are implemented in the same valuable document processing device.

11. The method according to claim 9, wherein the first identification data of the valuable documents are determined in a first valuable document processing device and the sorting of the valuable documents is implemented in a second valuable document processing device that differs from the first valuable document processing device.

12. The method according to claim 9, further comprising the steps of: recording one or more properties of each valuable document contained in the at least one batch of valuable documents in the at least one valuable document processing device by means of one or more sensors, and generating corresponding sensor data, transmitting the sensor data to the external computing device, checking the valuable documents contained in the at least one batch on the basis of the sensor data and generating corresponding second sorting data, which contain serial numbers, transmitting the second sorting data together with the first sorting data, from the external computing device to the at least one valuable document processing device, and sorting the valuable documents contained in the at least one batch in the at least one valuable document processing device on the basis of the transmitted first and second sorting data.

13. The method according to claim 9, wherein the specified second identification data are supplemented with the further second identification data that identify valuable documents, the check of which has yielded that they should be withdrawn from circulation and/or should remain in circulation.

14. The method according to claim 9, wherein the valuable documents contained in the at least one batch or a portion of the valuable documents contained in the at least one batch are only released for circulation again following the determination of the first identification data once the valuable documents contained in the at least one batch have been sorted in the at least one valuable document processing device on the basis of the transmitted first and optionally second sorting data.

15. The method according to claim 9, wherein transmitting of the first and optionally second sorting data is followed by rerecording of the first identification data of the valuable documents contained in the at least one batch in the at least one valuable document processing device and the valuable documents contained in the at least one batch are sorted in the at least one valuable document processing device on the basis of a comparison of the rerecorded first identification data with the first and optionally second sorting data.

16. A valuable document processing system for processing valuable documents comprising: at least one valuable document processing device configured to determine first identification data on the basis of which the valuable documents contained in at least one batch of valuable documents are identifiable, and to transmit the first identification data to an external computing device, and an external computing device configured to determine first sorting data by comparing the transmitted first identification data with specified second identification data on the basis of which valuable documents which should be withdrawn from circulation and/or should remain in circulation are identifiable, and to transmit the determined first sorting data to the at least one valuable document processing device, wherein the at least one valuable document processing device is further configured to sort the valuable documents contained in the at least one batch on the basis of the transmitted first sorting data.

Description

[0022] Further advantages, features and options for application of the present invention arise from the following description in conjunction with the figures. In a schematic illustration:

[0023] FIG. 1 shows a first example of a valuable document processing system; and

[0024] FIG. 2 shows a second example of a valuable document processing system.

[0025] FIG. 1 shows a first example of a valuable document processing system 100 having a first valuable document processing device 1, a second valuable document processing device 2, and an external computing device 3, which is connected to the first and the second valuable document processing device 1, 2, for example via an Internet service 4.

[0026] The valuable document processing devices 1, 2 are typically operated in a so-called cash center 5 and for example comprise one or more of the following components: a separator for separating valuable documents 6 contained in a provided batch 15, for example in the form of a deposit, bundle or stack, a transport apparatus for transporting valuable documents 6, one or more sensors 8 for recording properties, for example optical, electrical, acoustic or magnetic properties, of the valuable documents 6, an evaluation apparatus for evaluating corresponding sensor data, and a control apparatus for controlling the valuable document processing device 1, 2.

[0027] The valuable documents 6 contained in the batches 15 supplied to the cash center 5 are recorded in the first valuable document processing device 1. In the process, first identification data I.sub.1, for example serial numbers printed onto the valuable documents 6, are determined, for instance by virtue of images of the valuable documents 6 recorded by a camera 7 being processed by means of an algorithm for optical character recognition (OCR). Each of the valuable documents 6 contained in the respective batch 15 can be identified on the basis of the first identification data I.sub.1. In the present example, the first valuable document processing device 1 for recording the first identification data I.sub.1 is situated in a cash center 5. However, alternatively, the identification data I.sub.1 may also already have been recorded outside of the cash center 5, for example within the scope of what is known as a deposit killing, and may have then been supplied to the cash center 5 together with the valuable documents 6.

[0028] In the present example, one or more properties of the valuable documents 6 are additionally recorded in the first valuable document processing device 1 by means of one or more sensors 8, for example infrared, ultrasonic, magnetic, optical and/or capacitive sensors, and are converted into corresponding sensor data D. Preferably, the sensor data D are assigned to the first identification data I.sub.1 of the valuable documents 6.

[0029] On the basis of the sensor data, it is also possible to recognize two or multiple copies of valuable documents 6, output these in a corresponding output compartment of the valuable document processing device 1, 2 and, from there, input these back into the device 1 for determining the first identification data I.sub.1 of the valuable documents 6 contained in the two copies or multiple copies, in order to ensure that the first identification data I.sub.1 of all valuable documents 6 contained in the respective batch 15 are determined.

[0030] The first identification data I.sub.1 are transmitted together with the sensor data D to the external computing device 3 via the Internet service 4, while the valuable documents processed in the first valuable document processing device 1 in the present example are output into a stacker 9, from which they can be taken and temporarily stored at a location provided therefor, for example in a vault device 10 within the cash center 5, while the first identification data I.sub.1 are compared with specified second identification data I.sub.2, in particular specified serial numbers, in the external computing device 3.

[0031] The second identification data I.sub.2 are stored in a database 11 in the external computing device 3 and preferably form what is known as a whitelist, on the basis of which valuable documents 6 in circulation or destined for circulation can be identified. Alternatively, the second identification data I.sub.2 form what is known as a blacklist, on the basis of which valuable documents 6 to be removed from circulation can be identified. The second identification data I.sub.2, in particular a whitelist and/or blacklist, can be managed, that is to say updated or maintained, centrally in the external computing device 3, which may preferably be a central server or what is known as a cloud service.

[0032] First sorting data S.sub.1, which allow the identification of the valuable documents 6 contained in the batch 15 which should remain in circulation or should be removed from circulation, are determined in the external computing device 3 on the basis of the comparison of the first with the second identification data I.sub.1 and I.sub.2, respectively.

[0033] At the same time, the sensor data D determined from the valuable documents 6 can be analyzed in the external computing device 3 in respect of authenticity and/or state (what is known as fitness) of the valuable documents 6 and corresponding second sorting data S.sub.2 can be generated, said second sorting data containing the identification data for those valuable documents 6 whose authenticity or state was found to be in order or found not to be in order. Consequently, the second sorting data S.sub.2 for example contain all serial numbers of the valuable documents 6 contained in the batch 15 which are authentic and fit or which are forged and unfit.

[0034] Provision can be made for the specified second identification data I.sub.2 in the database 11, especially when this is a blacklist, to be supplemented with identification data of valuable documents 6 which were assessed as forgeries or unfit on the basis of the sensor data D during the authenticity and/or state test

[0035] The first and second sorting data S.sub.1, S.sub.2 are transmitted from the external computing device 3 to the second valuable document processing device 2 via the Internet service 4. Transmission can be implemented in different ways, for example by way of a direct file transmission (file transfer) or else via email. As soon as the first and second sorting data S.sub.1, S.sub.2 are available in the cash center 5, the temporarily stored valuable documents 6 can be taken from the vault device 10 and can be supplied to the second valuable document processing device 2. Alternatively, the temporarily stored valuable documents 6 may already be supplied to the second valuable document processing device 2 at an earlier stage, with the second valuable document processing device 2 in this case starting with the sorting of the valuable documents 6 as soon as the first and second sorting data S.sub.1, S.sub.2 have been transmitted.

[0036] A time period of several minutes or even hours may elapse in this case between the processing of the valuable documents 6 in the first valuable document processing device 1 and the processing of the valuable documents 6 in the second valuable document processing device 2.

[0037] Preferably, the second valuable document processing device 2 is configured to rerecord the first identification data of the valuable documents 6 contained in the batch 15, for example by means of a camera 7′ and an algorithm for optical character recognition. On the basis of a comparison between the rerecorded first identification data and the transmitted first and second sorting data S.sub.1, S.sub.2, the second valuable document processing device 2 is then able to sort the valuable documents 6 and, for example, output these in different stackers 12a, 12b, 12c.

[0038] By way of example, all valuable documents 6 with a first value which should remain in circulation according to the first sorting data S.sub.1 and which are fit and authentic according to the second sorting data S.sub.2 are stacked in the first stacker 12a. By way of example, all valuable documents 6 with a second value which should remain in circulation according to the first sorting data S.sub.1 and which are fit and authentic according to the second sorting data S.sub.2 are stacked in the second stacker 12b. By way of example, all valuable documents 6 which should be removed from circulation according to the first sorting data S.sub.1 and/or which are unfit and/or inauthentic according to the second sorting data S.sub.2 are stacked in the third stacker 12c. Alternatively, the valuable documents 6 may in the latter case also be supplied directly to a valuable document destruction device (not shown).

[0039] Preferably, the identification data of the valuable documents 6 sorted out in the third stacker 12c can be transmitted to the external computing device 3 via the Internet service 4 so that the specified second identification data I.sub.2 can be updated accordingly in the database 11, for example by virtue of removing from the whitelist the serial numbers of the valuable documents 6 that have been destroyed or taken out of circulation. The serial numbers of destroyed valuable documents 6 are preferably not included in a blacklist in order not to excessively increase the scope of the blacklist.

[0040] By contrast, the valuable documents 6 output into the first and second stackers 12a, 12b can leave the cash center 5 and be put back into circulation.

[0041] The system described above has the particular advantage that the second identification data 12, for example in the form of a blacklist or whitelist, which contains a large number of entries and therefore requires a lot of storage space, are stored and managed centrally and, for instance, do not have to be available in a decentralized manner in the relevant valuable document processing devices 1, 2 or in each cash center 5. Problems due to insufficient storage and/or computing power of the valuable document processing devices 1, 2 or of the cash center 5 are thereby avoided. Further, on account of the outsourcing of the generally time-consuming comparison or checking process to the external computing device 3, the valuable document processing devices 1, 2 are only required during the recording of the first identification data or sorting of the valuable documents contained in a batch and are then immediately available again for further batches, whereby overall an efficient processing of a number or multiplicity of valuable document batches is made possible.

[0042] As an alternative to the above-described example of a valuable document processing system 100, in which the determination of the first identification data of the valuable documents 6 and sorting of the valuable documents 6 using the first and optionally second sorting data are carried out in different valuable document processing devices 1, 2, it is possible to carry out both process steps in just one valuable document processing device appropriately configured to this end, as will be explained in more detail below.

[0043] FIG. 2 shows a second example of a valuable document processing system 100, which has a valuable document processing device 1 located in a cash center 5 and an external computing device 3 which is connected to the valuable document processing device 1 by way of an Internet service 4.

[0044] Like in the case of the example shown in FIG. 1, first identification data I.sub.1, in particular serial numbers, of the valuable documents 6 respectively contained in a batch 15 are also determined in the present example in the valuable document processing device 1 by virtue of the images of the valuable documents 6 recorded by a camera 7 being analyzed by means of optical character recognition (OCR). Further, one or more properties of the valuable documents 6 are recorded by means of one or more sensors 8 and are converted into corresponding sensor data D, which are assigned to the first identification data I.sub.1 of the valuable documents 6. Possible two or multiple copies of valuable documents 6 can also be recognized on the basis of the sensor data D, can be output into a corresponding output compartment and, from there, can be reentered into the device 1, in order also to reliably determine the first identification data I.sub.1 of the valuable documents 6 contained in the two or multiple copies.

[0045] The first identification data I.sub.1 are transmitted together with the sensor data D to the external computing device 3 via the Internet service 4. The valuable documents 6 are output into a stacker 9, from which they can be taken and temporarily stored at a location provided to this end, for example in a vault device 10 within the cash center 5, while the first identification data I.sub.1 are compared with specified second identification data I.sub.2 in the external computing device 3 and the sensor data D are analyzed in respect of authenticity and/or state (so-called fitness) of the valuable documents 6, with first and second sorting data S.sub.1 and S.sub.2, respectively, being generated and transmitted back to the cash center 5, in particular to the valuable document processing device 1, via the Internet service 4. The statements made above in conjunction with the example shown in FIG. 1 apply accordingly in respect of the comparison of the first identification data I.sub.1 with the specified second identification data I.sub.2 and the checking of the valuable documents 6 on the basis of the sensor data D in the external computing device 3.

[0046] After the first and second sorting data S.sub.1 and S.sub.2, respectively, have been transmitted to the cash center 5 or the valuable document processing device 1, the valuable documents 6, which were for example temporarily stored in the vault device 10 of the cash center 5, are resupplied to the valuable document processing device 1 and are sorted on the basis of the first and second sorting data S.sub.1 and S.sub.2, respectively, by virtue of said valuable documents being output into different stackers 12a, 12b, 12c. By way of example, if only valuable documents 6 which should remain in circulation according to the first sorting data S.sub.1 and which are fit and authentic according to the second sorting data S.sub.2 are output into the stackers 12a and 12b, then these valuable documents can leave the cash center 5 and can be brought back into circulation. By contrast, if valuable documents 6 which should be removed from circulation according to the first sorting data S.sub.1 and/or which are unfit and/or inauthentic according to the second sorting data S.sub.2 are output into the stacker 12c, these valuable documents are treated separately and optionally destroyed. Otherwise, the statements made above in conjunction with the example shown in FIG. 1 apply accordingly.

[0047] The check of the valuable documents 6 on the basis of the sensor data D can—as an alternative or in addition to a test carried out in the external computing device 3—also be carried out in the valuable document processing device 1 itself, with corresponding second sensor data S.sub.2 being generated and also being taken into account in addition to the first sorting data S.sub.1 when sorting the valuable documents 6.

[0048] A whitelist stored in a database 11 of a valuable document processing system 100 according to FIG. 1 or 2 is preferably created or updated according to the method described in more detail below.

[0049] Preferably, valuable documents are already provided during their production with second identification data, in particular serial numbers, which are recorded during or after their production and stored in the database 11. The second identification data are linked in the database 11 preferably with specific features of the valuable documents or production parameters, for example by virtue of said data being labeled as “not issued” and/or labeled with the time and/or place of production.

[0050] At the time the valuable documents are issued, that is to say when the valuable documents are put into circulation, the corresponding identification data in the database 11 are then labeled as “issued”, with the result that all second identification data with the “issued” feature then form the whitelist.

[0051] If valuable documents in circulation are later destroyed in a valuable document processing device, the identification data of these valuable documents can be recorded in the process and transmitted to the database 11. In the process, a search is made in the database 11, that is to say in the whitelist, for the corresponding identification data of the destroyed valuable documents and these are labeled as “destroyed”.

[0052] Further features of the valuable documents relating to the valuable documents and/or the destruction process can also be recorded and transmitted and linked to the second identification data in the database 11. Such features can be, for example, the time and place of destruction, an identification number of the valuable document processing device and/or identification information of a user.

[0053] Alternatively, the second identification data in the database 11 can also be updated manually, for example by virtue of labeling identification data from valuable documents that have not been destroyed by a valuable document processing device as “destroyed”.

[0054] An up-to-date whitelist is always available in the database 11 as a result of this method.

[0055] Further preferred aspects in connection with the comparison of first and second identification data and the maintenance or updating of the whitelist are described below.

[0056] When the first and second identification data are compared in the external computing device 3, the second identification data I.sub.2 stored in the database 11 are preferably searched for the transmitted first identification data I.sub.1. If the second identification data I.sub.2 that correspond to the first identification data I.sub.1 are found, the date and time of the comparison of the first identification data I.sub.1 with the second identification data I.sub.2 can be stored in the database 11 and linked with the second identification data I.sub.2.

[0057] If no second identification data I.sub.2 that correspond to the first identification data I.sub.1 are found or if the found second identification data I.sub.2 are not labeled as “issued”, for example are labeled as “not issued” or “destroyed”, then the corresponding first identification data I.sub.1 are transmitted to the cash center 5, for example to a database or another management system of the cash center 5 (a so-called vault management system), as first sorting data S.sub.1. The first sorting data S.sub.1 can then be included in a local blacklist in the cash center 5 and be made available to the valuable document processing devices of the cash center 5. In this way, the local blacklist in the cash center is preferably updated at regular time intervals, for example every 10 minutes.

[0058] With every further processing of the valuable documents by the valuable document processing devices in the cash center 5, for example when sorting according to value and/or wear, the first identification data I.sub.1 of the valuable documents are rerecorded and compared with the local blacklist, in particular the first sorting data S.sub.1. If there is a match between first identification data I.sub.1 and the local blacklist or the first sorting data S.sub.1, then appropriate messages can be output to an employee of the cash center 5 and the valuable documents in question can be output into an output compartment for rejected valuable documents, from where they can be removed by the employee and fed to a separate processing for valuable documents suspected of being forged.