Cash handling

Abstract

Cash handling in a cash handling system is described in terms of methods and arrangements that interact by exchanging cash as well as information signals. A cash transport unit is configured to receive, store and provide cash, preferably in the form of notes. The transport units connect with ATM's, shops, vehicles as well as cash docking stations. Information flows among the entities of the system, between the transport units, the shops, the vehicles, the docking stations, a transport service control center, cash centers as well as banks.

1 - 113 . (canceled) 
     
     
         114 . A docking station for use in a note handling system, the docking station comprising:
 a note input unit for receiving notes from a first note transport unit;   a note output unit for providing notes to a second note transport unit,   a signal communicator for exchanging information with at least one of said first note transport unit and said second note transport unit and for controlling flow of notes between said note input unit and said note output unit.   
     
     
         115 . The docking station according to  claim 114 , wherein said signal communicator is arranged to exchange information with both said first note transport unit and said second note transport unit. 
     
     
         116 . The docking station according to  claim 114 , wherein said signal communicator comprises a mechanical signal communicator. 
     
     
         117 . The docking station according to  claim 114 , wherein said signal communicator comprises an electric signal communicator. 
     
     
         118 . A docking station for use in a note handling system, the docking station comprising:
 a note input unit for receiving notes from a first note transport unit;   a note output unit for providing notes to a second note transport unit,   a signal communicator for exchanging information with at least one of said first note transport unit and said second note transport unit; and   a controller for controlling operation of said signal communicator, said note input unit, and said note output unit,   wherein said note input unit is positioned for access from a first environment representing a first level of security and wherein said note output unit is positioned for access from a second environment representing a second level of security higher than said first level of security.   
     
     
         119 . The docking station according to  claim 118 , wherein said signal communicator is arranged to exchange information with both said first note transport unit and said second note transport unit. 
     
     
         120 . The docking station according to  claim 118 , wherein the docking station comprises a non-protected part being accessible from the first environment and a protected part being accessible from the second environment, wherein the note input unit is in the non-protected part and the note output unit is in the protected part. 
     
     
         121 . The docking station according to  claim 118 , positioned in a wall at a cash center, said wall being positioned between said first environment and said second environment. 
     
     
         122 . The docking station according to  claim 118 , positioned in a wall in a vehicle. 
     
     
         123 . The docking station according to  claim 120 , further comprising a note storage and processing unit. 
     
     
         124 . The docking station according to  claim 123 , wherein said note storage and processing unit is in the protected part of the docking station. 
     
     
         125 . The docking station according to  claim 123 , wherein said cash storage and processing unit is configured to perform the operation note fitness sorting. 
     
     
         126 . The docking station according to  claim 123 , wherein said cash storage and processing unit is configured to perform the operation of denomination sorting. 
     
     
         127 . The docking station according to  claim 123 , wherein said cash storage and processing unit is configured to perform the operation of foreign currency sorting. 
     
     
         128 . The docking station according to  claim 123 , wherein said cash storage and processing unit is configured to perform the operation of note validation. 
     
     
         129 . A docking station as claimed in  claim 118 , said docking station, said first note transport unit, and said second note transport unit forming part of a cash handling system which further comprises a recycling-type point-of-sale note handling apparatus, said note handling apparatus interacting with said first note transport unit. 
     
     
         130 . A method of controlling operation of a docking station in a note handling system, the docking station being configured to receive notes from a first note transport unit in the system, provide said notes to a second note transport unit in the system, and exchange information with said first note transport unit and said second note transport unit, the method comprising:
 establishing a first signaling connection between the docking station and said first note transport unit,   communicating information signals between the docking station and said first note transport unit,   establishing a second signaling connection between the docking station and said second note transport unit,   communicating information signals between the docking station and said second note transport unit, and   based on said information signals, controlling exchange of notes from the first note transport unit to the docking station and controlling exchange of notes from the docking station to the second transport unit.   
     
     
         131 . The method of  claim 130 , wherein said communicating information signals are used for controlling engagers to establish a mechanical engagement between the docking station and at least one of said first and second transport units. 
     
     
         132 . The method of  claim 130 , wherein the communicating information signals are used for controlling engagers to release a mechanical engagement with at least one of said first and second transport units. 
     
     
         133 . A docking station configured to interact with a first note transport unit and a second note transport unit in a note handling system, the docking station comprising a note input unit, a note output unit, and a control and communication unit, said control and communication unit being configured to:
 establish a signaling connection with at least one of said first note transport unit and said second note transport unit;   control engagers to establish a mechanical engagement between at least one of said note input unit and said note output unit, and at least one of said first note transport unit and said second note transport unit;   control a flow of notes from said first note transport unit to the docking station and from the docking station to said second note transport unit;   communicate information signals between the docking station and at least one of said first note transport unit and said second note transport unit; and   control engagers to release said mechanical engagement.   
     
     
         134 . The docking station according to  claim 133 , wherein said control and communication unit being configured to:
 establish a signaling connection with said first note transport unit, and establish a signaling connection with said second note transport unit;   control engagers to establish a first mechanical engagement between the note input unit and said first transport unit, and to establish a second mechanical engagement between the note output unit and said second transport unit;   communicate information signals between the docking station and both said first note transport unit and said second note transport unit; and   control engagers to release said first mechanical engagement and said second mechanical engagement.   
     
     
         135 . The docking station according to  claim 133 , for ther comprising a note storage and processing unit. 
     
     
         136 . The docking station according to  claim 135 , wherein said note storage and processing unit is in a protected part of the docking station. 
     
     
         137 . The docking station according to  claim 135 , wherein said cash storage and processing unit is configured to perform the operation of note fitness sorting. 
     
     
         138 . The docking station according to  claim 135 , wherein said cash storage and processing unit is configured to perform the operation of denomination sorting. 
     
     
         139 . The docking station according to  claim 135 , wherein said cash storage and processing unit is configured to perform the operation of foreign currency sorting. 
     
     
         140 . The docking station according to  claim 135 , wherein said cash storage and processing unit is configured to perform the operation of note validation.