Computerized drop safe and control software

• US 7,428,985 B1
• Filed: 06/13/2007
• Issued: 09/30/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tidel Engineering LP (Tidel)
• Original Assignee: Tidel Engineering LP (Tidel)
• Inventors: Moreland, Flynt M., Hoffmaster, James, Dillen, Todd
• Primary Examiner(s): Hess; Daniel A
• Application Number:
  US11/762,305
• Time in Patent Office: 475 Days
• Field of Search: 235/379, 194/206, 194/217, 194/302, 902/11, 902/13
• US Class Current: 235/379
• CPC Class Codes: E05G 7/001 Bank depositories automatic safe-deposit box systems E05G1/06
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/10 for means for safe-keeping of property, left temporarily, e.g. by fastening the property
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/06 Coin boxes
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/0009 Details of the software in the checkout register, electronic cash register [ECR] or point of sale terminal [POS]
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/0027 Details of drawer or money-box

Abstract

A computerized drop safe running control and security software on a central processing unit controlling (CPU) operating features on and access to the drop safe. A user hierarchy has different access policies for making different transactions into the safe. Vault door access is controlled by the CPU to allow user access according to enabled policies. Transactions into and out of the safe vaults, motovend tube dispenser, and currency recyclers are recorded by the amounts and the user making the transaction into a memory coupled to the CPU. This data is also reported to a point of sale control interface at another location using a modem or Ethernet connection. The CPU can also receive data and control inputs by the modem and Ethernet, permitting centralized accounting and vending control options. A back office at the store can also easily access the safe for data retrieval or control inputs into the CPU using an Ethernet local area network computer system.

Claims

1. A central processing unit running control and security software for a drop safe comprising:

data inputs and control outputs for at least one vault door;

data inputs and control outputs for at least one motovend;

data inputs and control outputs for at least two bill acceptors;

data inputs to and data outputs from a touch sensitive display, said display data outputs controlling at least one vault door, at least one motovend, and at least two bill acceptors;

data and control inputs to the central processing unit from a modem or an Ethernet interface and data outputs from the central processing unit to the modem or Ethernet interface;

data outputs formatted using a report script generating program operating on the central processing unit that permits users to write customized reporting format program instructions;

a language subroutine operating on the central processing unit allowing localization of text to display a specific language or dialect and alter time, date, or currency display formats in reports and on the touch sensitive display; and

wherein the central processing unit controls access to all vaults doors and records access to vaults into a non-volatile memory.

2. The central processing unit running control and security software for a drop safe of claim 1 wherein a user inputs data into the central processing unit such as a personal identification number on the touch sensitive display screen.

3. The central processing unit running control and security software for a drop safe of claim 2 wherein the user after entering a personal identification number into the central processing unit accesses at least one vault door to make a currency transaction recorded by the central processing unit to show the transaction, the value, the currency type, the user, and the vault into the memory.

4. The central processing unit running control and security software for a drop safe of claim 2 wherein the user after entering a personal identification number accesses the motovend to make a vend tube or deposit tube currency transaction recorded by the central processing unit to show the transaction, the vend or deposit value, and the user into the memory.

5. The central processing unit running control and security software for a drop safe of claim 2 wherein the user after entering a personal identification number into the central processing unit can access the bill acceptor to make a currency transaction recorded by the central processing unit to show the transaction, the value, the user, and bill denomination into the memory.

6. The central processing unit running control and security software for a drop safe of claim 5 wherein the bill acceptor includes an integrated denomination sensor providing denomination data on currency fed into the acceptor to the central processing unit.

7. The central processing unit running control and security software for a drop safe of claim 5 wherein the bill acceptor includes an integrated bill recycler and denomination sensor providing denomination data on currency fed into and out of the recycler to the central processing unit.

8. The central processing unit running control and security software for a drop safe of claim 5 wherein the bill acceptor is controlled to provide alternating deposit cycling of both acceptors to cycle deposits faster than 1.5 seconds.

9. The central processing unit running control and security software for a drop safe of claim 5 wherein the bill acceptor can be controlled by the modem or Ethernet interface.

10. The central processing unit running control and security software for a drop safe of claim 1 wherein secure access to the vault doors can be controlled using the modem or Ethernet interface.

11. The central processing unit running control and security software for a drop safe of claim 1 wherein data recorded by the central processing unit can be accessed using the modem or Ethernet interface.

12. The central processing unit running control and security software for a drop safe of claim 1 wherein generated reports can be accessed using the modem or Ethernet interface.

13. The central processing unit running control and security software for a drop safe of claim 1 wherein software operating on the central processing unit can be modified using the modem or Ethernet interface.

14. The central processing unit running control and security software for a drop safe for claim 1 wherein the central processing unit controls a video recorder.