WO2005081192A1

WO2005081192A1 - Improvements in cash protection

Info

Publication number: WO2005081192A1
Application number: PCT/GB2005/000495
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christopher Lare; Matthew Fortunka
Original assignee: Tellermate Group Limited
Priority date: 2004-02-12
Filing date: 2005-02-11
Publication date: 2005-09-01
Also published as: GB0616886D0; GB0403147D0; GB2426111A; GB2411035A

Abstract

In a cash-handling environment, a method of ratifying a first sum of cash taken from an intelligent cash register with a second sum of cash deposited in an intelligent safe, the method comprising providing communication means between the intelligent cash register and the intelligent safe, sensing the removal of the first sum of cash from the intelligent cash register, storing the CASH data relating to the removal of the first sum of cash, sensing the depositing of the second sum of cash in the intelligent safe, storing the CASH data relating to the depositing of the second sum of cash, comparing the first sum of cash taken from the intelligent cash register with the second sum of cash deposited in the intelligent safe, and providing a successful ratification signal upon determining the two sums of cash are within predetermined limits of each other.

Description

Improvements in cash protection

This invention relates to improvements in protecting cash used in the course of transactions, especially in a retail environment.

Cash registers, also known as cash tills, are regularly employed in retail environments to accept and process a variety of cash items. For avoidance of doubt, the term 'cash' or 'cash items' will hereafter refer to all forms of payment tendered and accepted in the course of retail transactions, typically comprising but not limited to: banknotes, coins, vouchers and tokens. The cash items are stored in the part of the cash register known as the cash drawer, which may alternatively be simply referred to as the 'drawer' in this context.

Generally, cash drawers are set up at the start of the working shift with a known amount and composition of cash in the cash drawer of the cash register, and the amount of cash increases throughout the shift as customers conduct transactions and cash is tendered. The amount of cash in a cash drawer at the start of the shift is often referred to as a 'float', the amount and the composition of the float being usually known. It is also generally true that the composition of the cash mix within the cash drawer changes throughout the day or shift so that the number of high denomination cash items increases and the number of low denomination cash items decreases as change is tendered to customers in the course of transactions.

As the cash drawer fills it is common to remove some or all of the cash within the cash drawer, or even remove the entire cash drawer and replace it with a freshly prepared cash drawer, as a full cash drawer presents a significant theft risk. The action of removing some or all of the cash in a cash drawer during a working shift is often known as 'skimming'. For convenience in the remainder of this specification, the cash within a cash register drawer at any time shall be referred to simply as the 'drawer cash'. It is known that a cash register may possess the ability to initiate a request for additional cash or to request a skim as it detects when cash levels are too low or too high.

Following the identification that some component of the drawer cash is approaching or has reached a predetermined maximum level, a skim may be initiated in order to reduce the level of cash within the drawer, thus mitigating safety and fraud risks. Once a cash skim has taken place, it is possible that the skimmed cash is taken straight to a cash office for processing. Alternatively, the skimmed cash may be deposited in an adjacently located safe until ready for removal after the shift. Instead of an ordinary safe, an intelligent safe may be used. Like an intelligent cash register, an intelligent safe has the ability to determine the value and composition of cash items deposited into the safe. Intelligent safes are known in the art and usually comprise means for validating cash items as they are fed into a safe one by one.

An example of an 'intelligent' cash register is disclosed in European patent application EP 0724242 to Tellermate Pic, which describes a cash register comprising weighing means arranged to take weight readings from the cash compartments of the cash register. The weight readings of each compartment may then be converted to a cash value by a processing unit so that the total cash value contained in the register and the composition of this cash may be obtained without manual intervention.

However, the process of transferring the skimmed cash from a cash drawer to a means of secure storage, even such as an intelligent safe, presents a security risk since the process is reliant on employees acting honestly. For example, it may be relatively simple for an employee to deposit less than the entire skimmed cash into the safe.

Furthermore, if only the cash drawer is able to reconcile its contents with the entries to the cash register it would be necessary, if an audit trail were to be maintained, to deposit all money tendered into the drawer before subsequently removing it to the safe. This duplication of effort is wasteful. It is against this background that the invention provides a method of ratifying a first sum of cash taken from an intelligent cash register against a second sum of cash deposited in an intelligent safe, the method comprising providing communication means between the intelligent cash register and the intelligent safe; sensing the removal of the first sum of cash from the intelligent cash register; storing the CASH data relating to the removal of the first sum of cash; sensing the depositing of the second sum of cash in the intelligent safe; storing the CASH data relating to the depositing of the second sum of cash; comparing the first sum of cash taken from the intelligent cash register with the second sum of cash deposited in the intelligent safe; and providing a successful ratification signal upon determining the two sums of cash are within predetermined limits of each other.

In a preferred embodiment, upon expiry of a predetermined time delay between sensing the removal of the first sum of cash and sensing the depositing of the second sum of cash, further removal and/or further depositing of cash is prevented.

Additionally, the invention also provides for apparatus for ratifying a first sum of cash taken from an intelligent cash register against a second sum of cash deposited in an intelligent safe, the apparatus comprising means for providing communication means between the intelligent cash register and the intelligent safe; means for sensing the removal of the first sum of cash from the intelligent cash register; means for storing the CASH data relating to the removal of the first sum of cash; means for sensing the depositing of the second sum of cash in the intelligent safe; means for storing the CASH data relating to the depositing of the second sum of cash; means for comparing the first sum of cash taken from the intelligent cash register with the second sum of cash deposited in the intelligent safe; and means for providing a successful ratification signal upon determining the two sums of cash are within predetermined limits of each other. Further optional features to the invention are described in the remainder of this specification and the appended claims. In order for it to be more readily understood, the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 exemplifies a typical hardware system for implementing the method of the invention; and

Figure 2 shows a functional block diagram of an embodiment of the invention.

In Figure 1 , there is provided weighing means 2 which may comprise the cash drawer of an intelligent cash register or some type of weighing scale with an electronic output indicative of the weight measured. Weighing means 2 is connected to a POS terminal 3 and also to a processing unit 4. The processing unit 4 itself is also connected to the POS terminal 3. The POS terminal 3 produces POS data corresponding to each transaction, and also produces data relating to the weighing means 2 so that data relating to the weight of a sample placed upon the weighing means 2 may be transmitted electronically to the processing unit 4. Also connected to the processing unit 4 is a data store 6 such that the processing unit 4 may read and write data to/from the data store 6. A video display unit 8, or some other means of alerting an operator or linked master control unit (not shown) to an erroneous situation, is optionally connected to the processing unit 4. For example, the processing unit 4 may, instead of being a stand-alone unit, be connected as part of a larger network (not shown in Figure 1) and receive and transmit data to a network controller (also not shown). An intelligent safe 9 is also connected to the larger network by well-known POS system networking means such as RS-232 or a proprietary connecting technology such as the Applicant's TillBus or by any suitable connectivity standards.

The intelligent safe 9 is connected in a manner such that cash deposited in the intelligent safe 9 can be combined with the drawer cash to enable a complete reconciliation to be undertaken of all cash relating to each respective cash register/POS terminal. The configuration of the network-attached intelligent safe 9 is only one illustration of how a network may be configured - other likely configurations include having one intelligent safe per POS terminal, one intelligent safe shared between a number of POS terminals (such as in Figure 1) or one intelligent safe per retail store. Additionally, the connection means shown in Figure 1 is only illustrative - it is envisaged that the intelligent safe 9 may instead be connected to the cash drawer which acts as the gateway for sending and forwarding data concerning cash in the intelligent safe 9 between the processing unit 4 and/or the data store 6.

It should be appreciated that in the above description relating to Figure 1 , hardware systems able to count cash using means other than weighing methods may equally well be used, for example, banknote 'flipping' methods or systems which incorporate coin/banknote validation means and the like.

In use, to determine the value or number of a plurality of cash items placed on the weighing means 2, the weight reading output from the weighing means 2 is fed into the processing unit 4 which determines the cash value by processing the weight reading output of each denomination with a stored value of the reference weight of each respective denomination retrieved from the data store 6 or kept in local memory. This weighing and processing action is referred to as a 'cash count' and the result generated by a cash count is part of the data items referred to generally as CASH data. Optionally, all the data output from processing unit 4, for example the unprocessed weight readings or calculated cash values, may be kept on the data store 6 for retrieval at the end of the shift, the trading day, or indeed any user specified period. The data output from processing unit 4 is stored on the data store 6 together with timestamps relating to the date and time of recordal of each data item. In the case of a cash drawer from an intelligent cash register, each compartment of the cash drawer may have a corresponding weighing means 2. The total value of cash in the cash drawer may thus be derived from a summation of the cash value of each compartment of the cash drawer.

As has been mentioned, the cash drawer will progressively fill with cash during the course of a working day or shift and, as the amount of cash within the cash drawer or any compartment thereof approaches pre-set levels, a cash skim will typically be initiated. Once a cash skim has taken place, it is possible that the skimmed cash is taken straight to a cash office for processing. Alternatively, the skimmed cash may be placed in a means of secure storage such as the intelligent safe 9 as shown in Figure 1 , until ready for processing after the shift.

Figure 2 shows a method of the invention implemented by the apparatus shown in Figure 1. The background to the method shown in Figure 2 is that a cash skim has taken place from the cash drawer/weighing means 2. When a cash skim is taken, an intelligent cash register will be able to detect that a skim has taken place and also determine the value and composition of the skim, and this can be matched with the value and composition of the cash deposited in the intelligent safe 9 to determine a match or the extent of a mismatch. It is assumed that cash skimmed from intelligent cash registers will be deposited in the safe within a short time.

Preferably, any system incorporating an intelligent safe 9 would be able to create a warning, report or otherwise indicate that since a skim has taken place (detected by an intelligent cash register) and that a corresponding sum of money has not yet been placed within the safe - this provides an additional safety/anti-fraud benefit.

The process starts at 40 when an intelligent cash register detects that a cash skim has been removed. An incremental timer (not shown in Figure 1 but accessible to either, or both, the intelligent cash register and the intelligent safe 9) is started at 42 and a check is carried out at 44 to see if a sum of cash has been deposited into the intelligent safe 9. Should the check at 44 check be positive, the procedure carries on to a further check at 46 to ascertain whether the cash deposited into the intelligent safe 9 matches the value of a cash skim detected as having been removed from one of the intelligent cash registers in the network - although a network of cash registers is not shown in Figure 1 this may be achieved through common POS networking techniques. Should the matching step at 46 be positive, the cash skim now present in the intelligent safe 9 is recorded (preferably by the networked data store 6 or the intelligent safe 9 itself) as having been removed from the intelligent cash register identified by the matching step at 46. The process is then complete at 50 and loops back to 40 when a further cash skim removal has been detected. If, however, the check at 44 returns a false result, i.e. that no cash or mismatched cash has been entered into the intelligent safe 9, the timer at 52 increments and a check is carried out at 54 to determine whether the timer has reached a predetermined value indicating expiry of a time-out period. Should this further check be negative, the procedure loops back to 44 to check whether cash has been deposited in the intelligent safe 9 and keeps looping until either cash is entered into the safe at 44 or the timer reaches the predetermined time-out value at 54 whereupon both the intelligent safe 9 and the cash drawer of the intelligent cash register involved at 40 are locked at 56 until a supervisor investigates the situation and authorises unlocking. Upon locking, a warning signal is initiated at 58 by appropriate means to alert the supervisor's attention.

Should the matching step at 46 provide a negative answer, i.e. that the cash placed in the intelligent safe 9 does not match a skim detected by any intelligent cash register in the network, the procedure loops back to 52 and increments the timer. The procedure continues to decision state 54 and then onwards as aforesaid.

As an alternative to the above described embodiment, the process of ratifying the value and composition of cash deposited in the safe with cash skimmed from the cash drawer could also be triggered by the intelligent safe receiving cash of a particular amount and composition. Following this trigger, the intelligent safe communicates with the intelligent cash register (or a plurality of cash registers in a network) to determine whether the value and composition of cash deposited therein matches the value and composition of cash skimmed from the cash drawer or entered into the POS.

Ideally, the cash deposited into the intelligent safe will match exactly the value and composition of the cash removed or skimmed from the intelligent cash register. However, although it is important that materially the same value and composition of cash removed from the cash drawer is deposited into the safe, it is envisaged that the match conducted at 46 be allowed to accept a partial match, or one which falls within acceptable predetermined error margins. This might, for example, be permissible in countries where some denominations of the currency have very low worth. In the event of an allowable mismatch, the system may be configured to record the value of the mismatch and provide means for reporting the discrepancy.

The lock applied to the intelligent safe 9 and cash register drawer at step 56 may simply be an electronic lock controlled by software that prevents the drawer from opening under the control of the POS terminal, or the lock may be a more secure form of electro-mechanical mechanism.

It is preferred that once a cash skim has been detected or when a cash skim has been safely lodged in a safe, as in the case of Figure 2, that appropriate messages are displayed through display means 8, logged on data store 6, or a printed record is produced by a printer (not shown in Figure 1) attached either to the intelligent safe 9, the intelligent cash register or attached as a network printer available to all components shown in Figure 1.

Claims

1. A method of ratifying a first sum of cash taken from an intelligent cash register against a second sum of cash deposited in an intelligent safe (9), the method comprising providing communication means between the intelligent cash register and the intelligent safe; sensing (40) the removal of the first sum of cash from the intelligent cash register; storing the CASH data relating to the removal of the first sum of cash; sensing (44) the depositing of the second sum of cash in the intelligent safe; storing the CASH data relating to the depositing of the second sum of cash; comparing (46) the first sum of cash taken from the intelligent cash register with the second sum of cash deposited in the intelligent safe and; providing a successful ratification signal upon determining the two sums of cash are within predetermined limits of each other.

2. A method according to Claim 1 , wherein comparison between the two sums of cash comprise comparing their cash composition.

3. A method according to Claim 1 , wherein comparison between the two sums of cash comprise comparing their cash value.

4. A method according to Claim 1 , wherein upon expiry of a predetermined time delay between sensing (40) the removal of the first sum of cash and sensing (44) the depositing of the second sum of cash results in prevention of further removal and/or depositing of cash.

5. Apparatus for ratifying a first sum of cash taken from an intelligent cash register against a second sum of cash deposited in an intelligent safe (9), the apparatus comprising: means for providing communication means between the intelligent cash register and the intelligent safe; means for sensing (2, 4) the removal of the first sum of cash from the intelligent cash register; means for storing (6) the CASH data relating to the removal of the first sum of cash; means for sensing the depositing of the second sum of cash in the intelligent safe (9); means for storing (6) the CASH data relating to the depositing of the second sum of cash; means for comparing (4) the first sum of cash taken from the intelligent cash register with the second sum of cash deposited in the intelligent safe (9); and means for providing (8) a successful ratification signal upon determining the two sums of cash are within predetermined limits of each other.

6. The apparatus according to Claim 5, wherein the comparison means (4) for comparison of two sums of cash is further adapted to compare their cash composition.

7. The apparatus according to Claim 5, wherein the comparison means (4) for comparison of the two sums of cash is further adapted to compare their cash value.

8. The apparatus according to Claim 5, further adapted so that expiry of a predetermined time delay between sensing the removal of the first sum of cash and sensing the depositing of the second sum of cash results in prevention of further removal and/or depositing of cash.