Method and system for storing flexible documents

1 . A method ( 1 ) for storing a series of flexible documents ( . . . , B(n−1), B(n), B(n+1), . . . ) in a system ( 100 ), each flexible document ( . . . , B(n−1), B(n), B(n+1), . . . ) having a front side and a rear side and the system ( 100 ) comprising

said method ( 1 ) comprising:

A. activating using at least one sensor for sensing each flexible document ( . . . , B(n−1), B(n), B(n+1), . . . ) during transportation into a storing and issuing module ( 10 ) during storage operations, and providing corresponding dimension information and position information with respect to the longitudinal symmetry axis (y-y) to a central processing unit ( 50 ) or processor ( 150 ); and

B. sensing a first flexible document B(n) by the at least one sensor inside the storing and issuing module ( 10 ), and

C. sensing a next flexible document B(n+1) transported on a belt ( 20 ) toward the storing and issuing module ( 10 ) and determining corresponding position information for the next flexible document B(n+1) after the at least one sensor begins sensing a first flexible document B(n),

D. based on dimension information and a last obtained position information on the flexible document B(n), dimension information and the last obtained position information on the next flexible document B(n+1), determining by the processor ( 50 ) a minimum distance (d pred ), along an axis (y MIN −y MIN ) parallel to a longitudinal symmetry axis (y-y), that would be left on transport tape ( 170 ), between the rear side of flexible document B(n) and the front side of the next flexible document B(n+1) of the series,

E. comparing by processor ( 50 ) the determined minimum distance (d pred ) with a predetermined minimum distance d d , and

F. in response to the determined minimum distance (d pred ) being different from the predetermined minimum distance d d , adjusting a linear speed (v t (t)) of the transport tape ( 170 ) between a time instant (t j (n)) at which flexible document B(n) is engaged with transport tape ( 170 ) and a time instant t j (n+1) at which the next flexible document B(n+1) is engaged with transport tape ( 170 ) inside the storing and issuing module ( 10 ).

2 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein said position information provided by a sensor group ( 30 ), an at least one external sensor unit ( 40 ) and an internal sensor unit ( 140 ) comprises at least the angular displacement α(n) of the sensed flexible document B(n), with respect to an axis parallel to the longitudinal symmetry axis (y-y) and the minimum linear distance (Y (n)) of the sensed flexible document B(n) from one lateral edge of said conveyor belt ( 20 ) or transport tape ( 170 ).

3 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein position information the next flexible document B(n+1) is provided by one between sensor group ( 30 ) and at least one external sensor unit ( 40 ), whichever sensed the next flexible document B(n+1) last, and

position information for flexible document B(n) is provided by one between the sensor group ( 30 ), the at least one external sensor unit ( 40 ) and the internal sensor unit ( 140 ), whichever sensed the flexible document B(n) last.

4 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein said actual minimum distance (d pred ) is also a function of the time interval (Rcc) between the time instant t j (n) at which the rear side of flexible document B(n) would engage with transport tape ( 170 ) and start moving therewith inside the storing and issuing module ( 10 ), and the time instant t j (n+1) at which the rear side of the next flexible document B(n+1) would engage with transport tape ( 170 ) and start moving therewith inside the storing and issuing module, estimated based on the last available position information of flexible document B(n) and the next flexible document B(n+1).

5 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein said actual minimum distance (d pred ) is also a function of:

a value err (n) indicating how far away is a rear side of flexible document B(n) with respect to opening ( 110 ) of the storing and issuing device ( 10 ) when, at t j (n), that flexible document is engaged with transport tape ( 170 ), along an axis (y MIN −y MIN ) parallel to the longitudinal symmetry axis (y-y) where the distance between the entering flexible document B(n) and the next flexible document B(n+1) is the lowest; and

a value err (n+1), calculated along the same axis (y MIN −y MIN ) where err(n) is calculated, indicating how far away is a front side of flexible document B(n+1), with respect to opening ( 110 ) of the storing and issuing device ( 10 ), when that flexible document B(n+1) enters the storing and issuing module.

6 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein said speed (v t (t)) of transport tape is adjusted according to an updated pattern defining over time a line segment or chain of line segments.

7 . The method according to claim 6 , wherein said updated pattern is based on:

an acceleration value (a);

the constant speed value (V) of the conventional pattern of transport tape linear speed (v t (t)), at regime operational conditions;

the estimated rate value (Rcc);

the actual minimum distance (d pred ) and the desired minimum distance (d d ).

8 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein if position information for the next flexible document B(n+1) transported on conveyor belt ( 20 ) toward the storing and issuing module ( 10 ) is provided after an internal sensor unit ( 140 ) stops sensing said flexible document B(n), and/or if the next flexible document B(n+1) is not within a predetermined storage distance (d ST ) from the storing and issuing module ( 10 ), said method ( 1 ) comprises:

G. bringing linear speed (v t (t)) of transport tape ( 170 ) to zero, and

H. keeping transport tape stopped at least until position information for the next flexible document B(n+1) transported on conveyor belt ( 20 ) toward the storing and issuing module ( 10 ) is obtained and the next flexible document B(n+1) is within the predetermined storage distance (d ST ) from the storing and issuing module ( 10 ) or the next flexible document B(n+1) that had been sensed before the internal sensor unit ( 140 ) stopped sensing flexible document B(n) moves within the predetermined storage distance (d ST ) from the storing and issuing module ( 10 ).

9 . The method according to claim 8 , wherein transitional stop time interval:

is a pre-set value; or

is calculated based on position information of the entering flexible document B(n) and the next flexible document B(n+1); or

is calculated based on position information of the entering flexible document B(n) only, if no information on the next flexible document B(n+1) is available.

10 . The method according to claim 8 wherein, after position information for the next flexible document B(n+1) transported on conveyor belt ( 20 ) toward the storing and issuing module ( 10 ) is obtained or the next flexible document B(n+1) that had been sensed before the internal sensor unit ( 140 ) stopped sensing flexible document B(n) moves within the predetermined storage distance (d ST ) from the storing and issuing module ( 10 ):

D2. Calculating, based at least on dimension information and the last obtained position information on flexible document B(n), the last obtained position information on the next flexible document B(n+1) and known design parameters of the system ( 100 ), said actual minimum distance (d pred ), along an axis (y MIN −y MIN ) parallel to longitudinal symmetry axis (y-y), that would be left between the rear side of said flexible document B(n) and the front side of the next flexible document B(n+1) on transport tape ( 170 ), if transport tape ( 170 ) moved according to said conventional pattern linear speed (v t (t)),

E2. comparing the actual minimum distance (d pred ) calculated at step D2 with the desired distance (da) and,

F2. if the actual minimum distance (d pred ) is different from the desired minimum distance (d d ), adjusting, by sending corresponding control signals through processor ( 50 ), linear speed (v t (t)) of transport tape ( 170 ) with respect to the conventional pattern, within the time instant tj(n+1) at which the next flexible document B(n+1) is engaged with transport tape ( 170 ) inside the storing and issuing module ( 10 ), such that the desired distance da along said axis (y MIN −y MIN ) parallel to the longitudinal symmetry axis (y-y) is left on transport tape ( 170 ) between the rear side of the entering flexible document B(n) and the front side of the next flexible document B(n+1).

11 . The method according to claim 8 , comprising after step F:

I. determining, if updated position information at least on flexible document B(n) is provided to processor ( 50 ), when the flexible document B(n) has moved further inside the storing and issuing module ( 10 ) and the internal sensor unit ( 140 ) has stopped sensing it inside the storing and issuing module ( 10 ); and

L. if so, repeating steps D to F with:

the last obtained position information of flexible document B(n);

the last obtained position information of the next flexible document B(n+1); and

wherein:

transport tape ( 170 ) linear speed (v t (t)) to be adjusted is the linear speed of transport tape ( 170 ) already adjusted at previous step F;

the actual minimum distance (d pred1 ) to be estimated, is the one that would be left between the entering flexible document B(n) and the next one B(n+1) on transport tape ( 170 ) if transport tape ( 170 ) moved at said already adjusted linear speed (v t (t)); and

the actual minimum distance (d pred1 ) so determined, is to be compared with the actual minimum distance (d pred ) estimated at previous step D.

12 . A system ( 100 ) for storing a series of flexible documents ( . . . , B(n−1), B(n), B(n+1), . . . ), each flexible document ( . . . , B(n−1), B(n), B(n+1), . . . ) having a front side and a rear side, comprising:

at least one storing and issuing module ( 10 ),

one conveyor belt ( 20 ) having a longitudinal symmetry axis (y-y) extending inside the storing and issuing module ( 10 ), the conveyor belt ( 20 ) being configured for supporting and transporting said flexible documents ( . . . , B(n−1), B(n), B(n+1), . . . ), into said at least one storing and issuing module ( 10 ) at known conveying speed (v e ),

one sensor group ( 30 ), arranged with respect to said conveyor belt ( 20 ) in such a way that it can sense each flexible document ( . . . , B(n−1), B(n), B(n+1), . . . ) of the series entering the system ( 100 ) and being transported on said conveyor belt ( 20 ), and provide corresponding dimension information and position information on the sensed flexible document ( . . . , B(n−1), B(n), B(n+1), . . . ), with respect to said longitudinal symmetry axis (y-y);

at least one external sensor unit ( 40 ), arranged along said conveyor belt ( 20 ) between the sensor group ( 30 ) and the storing and issuing module ( 10 ), at a pre-set distance from the storing and issuing module ( 10 ) and configured for sensing the passage of each flexible document ( . . . , B(n−1), B(n), B(n+1), . . . ) of the series and providing at least position information thereof, with respect to said longitudinal symmetry axis (y-y);

and

a central processing unit ( 50 ), operatively connected to said sensor group ( 30 ), said at least one external sensor unit ( 40 ) and said at least one storing and issuing module ( 10 ) and configured to receive, process and store at least said dimension information and position information, when it is provided by said sensor group ( 30 ) and said at least one external sensor unit ( 40 ), and send corresponding signals to said at least one storing and issuing module ( 10 );

wherein in said at least one the storing and issuing module ( 10 ) one opening ( 110 ) is formed, through which each flexible document of the series can enter the same with its front side, and be transported through a linear conveying section ( 120 ) of the storing and issuing module ( 10 ), the storing and issuing module ( 10 ) having at least:

a storage roller ( 70 ) configured for being actuated by a motor;

one transport tape ( 170 ) configured to be dragged in rotation by the storage roller ( 70 ) around the same

an internal sensor unit ( 140 ), arranged along the linear conveying section ( 120 ) at a pre-set distance from opening ( 110 ) and configured for sensing the passage of each flexible document of the series on the linear conveying section ( 120 ) and providing position information thereof, with respect to said longitudinal symmetry axis (y-y);

holding means ( 80 , 80 ′), arranged at said conveying section ( 120 ), at a predefined distance from the internal sensor unit ( 140 ) and configured for engaging each flexible document of the series with the transport tape ( 170 ), when it has entered the storing and issuing module ( 10 ) through opening ( 110 ), the engagement occurring along a linear path of transport tape ( 170 ) where transport tape ( 170 ) can be moved at linear speed (v t (t)) before being rolled on storage roller ( 70 );

one processor ( 150 ), operatively connected, to said central processing unit ( 50 ), and also operatively connected at least to said storage roller ( 70 ), motor, holding means ( 80 , 80 ′), and internal sensor unit ( 140 ) and configured to receive, process and store said signals transmitted by said central processing unit ( 50 ), at least said position information of each flexible document of the series sensed by the internal sensor unit ( 140 ), and send corresponding control signals to said storage roller ( 170 ), motor, and holding means ( 80 , 80 ′), and internal sensor unit ( 140 );

said system ( 100 ) being configured to execute the method ( 1 ) according to claim 1 .

13 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon the computer instructions that, when executed by a processor, executes the method according to claim 1 .

14 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the adjusting the linear speed (v t (t)) of the transport tape is configured such that:

the predetermined minimum distance (d d ) along said axis (y MIN −y MIN ) parallel to the longitudinal symmetry axis (y-y) is left on the transport tape ( 170 ) between the rear side of the first flexible document B(n) and the front side of the next flexible document B(n+1), and dclc

when, at t j (n+1), the next flexible document B(n+1) is engaged with transport tape ( 170 ), the linear speed value of transport tape ( 170 ) is a constant speed value (V) of a conventional pattern of transport tape linear speed (v t (t)) at regime operational conditions.