Information in this chapter details the mechanical assemblies of the Currency Validator.
The Currency Validator’s mechanical assemblies consists of:
• Main Housing Assembly
• Bezel Assemblies
• Channel Assembly
• Electronics Tray Assembly.
2.1.1 Housing Assembly
The Housing Assembly, which forms the foundation of the Currency Validator, supports and aligns the drive axles and rollers, and the drive stepper motor while providing mounts for the other subassemblies of the Currency Validator. The drive axles provide motive power to two drive belts that transport the bank note or coupon past the validation cir-cuitry and out of the unit. The drive belts are attached to self-tensioning mechanisms to assure a reliable and straight feed. In a unique arrangement, the belt path is designed to provide an area suitable for the detection of stringing devices or tails by the Side-Looking Optical System™.
The transport mechanism uses a stepper motor to position the bill within the currency channel. During the bill’s transport process, as many as 20 validation samples, per motor step (at 0.023 inch), are taken.
The transport mechanism consists of two timing belts and a pressure roller configuration.
The timing belts are organized to provide an area of vertical and horizontal optical inspec-tion within the currency channel. The vertical analysis is used in the validainspec-tion of bank notes. The horizontal analysis, performed by the Side-Looking Sensors (SLS), is used ex-clusively for the detection of tethers and/or strings attached to bank notes or coupons.
Any trailors detected by the SLS are cause for automatic rejection of a note by the Cur-rency Validator. A record of this event is logged within the CurCur-rency Validator and Soft-Drop Analyzer (SDA), along with a message sent to the Host Controller for appropri-ate action.
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2.1.2 Bezel Assemblies
The Bezel Assemblies, which comprise the Upper-Bezel Assembly and the Lower-Bezel As-sembly, provide bill alignment and guidance into the Currency Validator’s transport mechanism. Made of injection-molded plastic, the Upper-Bezel Assembly is easily cleaned and maintained. With its built-in LED display electronics, the upper bezel emits a strobe-light, runway pattern that aids to identify the bill entry point for the user. This display also provides diagnostic information and host machine status to service personnel.
A newly added feature of the Upper-Bezel Assembly is the Spring-Loaded Latch mecha-nism. This mechanism comprises two latches and striker plates that securely close the Upper-Guide Assembly to the Main Housing Assembly. When both latches are released, access to the currency channel can be obtained for cleaning purposes.
With the ARGUS Currency Validator, a choice of two Lower-Bezel Assemblies are available to handle either narrow-width (62 to 70-mm) or wide-width (70 to 85-mm) currencies.
The Lower Bezels, which ensure reliable operation for all currency sizes, are easily at-tached to the Lower-Guide Assembly. When configured for narrow-width currencies, the currency channel must be fitted with specially-designed channel inserts. These inserts guide the narrow-width currency as it passes from the Lower Bezel, through the channel, and into the Security-Removable Cassette.
2.1.3 Channel Assembly
The Channel Assembly consists of two subassemblies: The Upper-Guide Assembly and the Lower-Guide Assembly.
The Upper-Guide Assembly serves as the upper half of the currency channel. It supports and contains the pressure rollers that force the currency against the drive belts for trac-tion. It also supports and locates the optical sensors and the magnetic head that examines the bank note as it passes through the unit. To protect the optical sensors, a clear, optical window, which is molded from an optical-grade polycarbonate, is inserted over the sensors. The optical window has ridges molded into the surface to minimize the surface area that the bank note travels within the channel.
The Upper-Guide Assembly is attached at its lower end so that it can pivot completely away from the rest of the unit for quick access to the currency channel. This allows easy cleaning of the currency channel and/or parts of the transport mechanism. When closed, the Upper-Guide Assembly is securely latched to the Housing Assembly by two Spring-Loaded Latches.
The Lower-Guide Assembly, which guides the bank note onto the drive belts and pressure rollers, makes up the lower half of the currency channel. The Lower-Guide Assembly also supports and locates the optical sensors which are protected by a clear, optical window.
Integrated into the Housing Assembly, the Lower-Guide Assembly is factory aligned to the Upper-Guide Assembly for accurate, reliable operation.
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2.1.4 Electronics Tray Assembly
The Electronics Tray Assembly contains the intelligence that controls the functional, valida-tion, communications, diagnostic, and display functions. This assembly comprises the following Printed Circuit Boards (PCB):
• Reflective Array PCB
• Power Supply Motor Driver (PSMD) PCB
• Central Processing Unit (CPU) PCB.
The Electronics Tray Assembly is designed to allow easy removal of the PCBs for repair and/or replacement.
2.2 Universal Security-Removable Cassette
GPT’s Universal Security-Removable Cassette (SRC), shown in Figure 2-1, is a removable storage module that provides reliable operation and maximum security for bills accepted by the Currency Validator. Providing a storage capacity for 400-stacked bills with a width from 62 to 85-mm, the Universal SRC easily attaches to the Currency Validator.
Figure 2-1. Universal Security-Removable Cassette
Depending on the specific application, different levels of security may be provided for the removal and replacement of the Universal SRC. For the standard Universal SRC configura-tion, a door lock is used to secure the bills. If additional security is desired, an optional dual-lock configuration is available.
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In place of the Universal SRC, GPT ’s 70-mm SRC can be used to store narrower-width currencies between 62-mm and 70-mm wide. When this SRC is used, the Currency Valida-tor must be fitted with channel inserts and a specially-designed Lower Bezel. These parts can prevent bill jams as the currency passes through the currency channel to the SRC (re-fer to GPT 's ARGUS Installation and Users' Guide, Pub. No. G3M0082, latest revision).
As an option, the tracking of transaction information is accomplished by installing the Soft-Drop Analyzer (SDA). The SDA contains a memory device that allows the user to retrieve data, such as monetary and statistical information, without opening the cassette.
2.2.1 Soft-Drop Analyzer Option
SRCs purchased by GPT customers can include, as an option, GPT ’s proprietary Soft-Drop Analyzer (SDA) technology. The SDA is designed to automatically record monetary and statistical data for each bill or coupon processed by the Currency Validator. In addition, the SDA provides pertinent information related to the Currency Validator (i.e., asset num-ber, machine numnum-ber, and chip family information). Four classifications of data recorded by the SDA are:
1. System Identification 2. Note Transaction
3. Coupon Data 4. Diagnostics
When RS-232 DEMO program is installed on an IBM compatible PC, the user can access the data stored in the SDA memory module. This module provides a serial communication link with the Currency Validator. When the user clicks on the Read Memory command but-ton on the SDA screen, monetary (i.e., number of bills sorted by denomination) and statistical information (i.e., number of bills rejected) appears (see Figure 2-2). For de-tailed information concerning the installation and operation of the RS-232 DEMO, refer to GPT ’s Web site at www.gpt.com, select Technical Manuals, then select RS-232 Demo, located in the Preliminary Product Manuals category.
Another software application, named Synergy Connect Professional (SCPro™), was de-signed by GPT to simulate the functions of the Host Controller. SCPro is a Windows® -based PC application that allows the user to easily connect to GPT ’s Currency Validators configured with either the V2.2 Standard or V2.2 Extended Protocols. In addition to ac-cessing the data stored in the SDA memory module, SCPro allows the user to perform validator setup, testing, software updates, and software development. To obtain a copy of SCPro™ Users’ Reference Manual, Pub. No. G9S3094, contact GPT Customer Service or visit GPT ’s Web site.
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2.2.2 Cassette Description
The Universal SRC features an electrical connector that easily self-aligns to the Currency Validator and joins electrically to it. The cassette’s housing is ruggedly constructed of heavy gauge, welded-steel and is designed so that access to the stored bills is only possi-ble by unlocking the hinged, steel door at the rear of the module. Based on a time-tested design of simplicity and reliability, the Universal SRC is available with a level of intelligence (i.e., Soft Drop Analyzer) to enhance the management of monetary records.
The cassette’s major subassemblies are:
• Stacker weldment assembly
• Motor/pusher plate assembly.
Read Memory Command Button
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2.2.2.1 Stacker Weldment Assembly
The Stacker Weldment Assembly is a sturdy, locked-steel box capable of storing 400-stacked bills, or bills in combination with coupons. Designed with security in mind, the container features a minimum of joints and seams to prevent unauthorized entry. Author-ized entry is allowed through a hinged, steel door which is secured with one-tubular or two-tubular, tamperproof key locks. (SRCs are also available without locks).
The cassette contains a spring-loaded pressure plate that supports the stack and a pair of support rails on which presented bills lie prior to the stacking operation. The exterior of the cassette is finished in an attractive, durable black finish.
Within the box is an upper cavity enclosed by a removable, stamped-steel cover. Con-tained within the upper cavity are:
• Stacker drive mechanism
• Blind mate connector that connects to the Currency Validator
• Memory module for electronically storing cassette identification, diagnostic and content information. This information can be retrieved using the Soft-Drop Ana-lyzer which is available as an option.
• Infrared sensor used for positioning of pusher plate.
2.2.2.2 Motor/Pusher Plate Assembly
The Motor/Pusher Plate Assembly, which contains a DC motor and a slider-crank mecha-nism, stacks bills in a simple and reliable manner. When the appropriate signal is received from the Currency Validator, the motor makes one revolution. This action cycles the pusher plate through one complete linear extension-retraction cycle. On extension, the pusher plate pushes the bill past the support rails against the pressure plate. On retrac-tion, the bill is now trapped below the support rails and is held there by the pressure plate.
The pusher plate continues to its retracted position and is ready for the next cycle.
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