CA1157828A - Automatic note dispenser with purge control - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

An automatic purge control for a banknote dispensing system including an operator panel having a keyboard for initiating transaction requests, a dispensing chamber adja-cent to the panel for receiving banknotes dispensed in response to an operator request, a lockable access door to enable the operator to gain access to the chamber to remove dispensed notes, and a tiltable platform positioned within the chamber for discharging dispensed notes from the chamber under predetermined purge conditions detected by a micro-processor within the system. The microprocessor calls for a purge operation when it has been determined that the operator has either failed to remove dispensed notes or has left notes within the chamber. A purge operation may also be performed as a result of a system failure, such as a power outage or a counting error occurring during a dispense cycle; or when a foreign object is detected in the dispensing chamber as a result of vandalism.

Description

1 157~8 FIELD OF T~IE INVENTION
____~________ This invention ~ertains to automatic dis~)cnsin(3 systems for banknotes, cash, checks, stamps and the like, and more particularly, to an automatic note dispensing s~stern in which a purge control is providtd or recoverin~J dispensed notes which have been allowed to rt~main in the syslem aEter a dispensing operation.

BACKGROUND OF TIIU ~IVI~NTION
Banking systems employing automatic dis~ensing -termin~ls are being increasingly employed by banks and other financial i s2rvice organizations as a means for reducing labor expenses ¦ and providing extended banking hours and enhanced convenience ¦ to customers.
Ii One of the problems that has been experienced in the l use of automatic teller terminals with banknote (cash) dis-¦ pensing devices is that on occasion dispensed notes are ¦ inadvertently left in the dis~ensing chamber eit:ller through ¦ the carelessness o~ the customer-operator or through his ¦ 'ailure to understand the operating instruc-tions. When this

2~ occurs the next customer using the dispenser will receive money to which he is not entitled and the bank will have no means of confirming a subsequent claim made by the first customer, after he realizes that his money was lef-t in the l machine.
~ An additiona~ l~ro~ltm thdt has het~ll t~x~t~rit~ ct~d in ~le use of these automatic dispensing terminals is that on occasion the system will detect an error, such as a dou~le l Feed or an improper count during the dispensing operation, ¦l and when this occurs the system is confronted with a dilemma.

3~ l~ The system can release the disp~nsed notes to the customer, _,>_ 1 157~2~ ~

reali2ing that the amount may he in error and that tile customer will be given more or less cash l-han was requested, or it can lock the customer access mechanism to prevent release of the cash to -the customer, in which case the problem can be remedied only by manual in-tervention of a bank employee. With the former alternative, the customer may either be short changed or recelve a windEall of extra cash, whereupon in either case the bank is detrimentally a~fected. In the latter situation, the immediate customer 1~ requesting the dispen~in~ operation, as well as other cus-tomers that may be waiting to use the terminal, are incon-vienced and additional time is raquircd on the part of bank ! personnel to remedy the situation.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
i5 Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved cash or note dispensing system. As used herein the word "note" is intended to refer not only to bills or banknotes, but also to other negotiable type docu-ments such as checks, airline tickets, food stamps, and the like.
A further object is to provide an improved note dispens-ing system haviny a purge control device which permi-~s the system to recover dispensed cash or notes automatically in certain conditions when abnormal or erroneous operation has been detected.
An additional object is to provide a purge control apparatus for an automatic note dispensing system in which dispensed notes are automatically discharged from the dis-pensing chamber to prevent a user of the system from obtaining money to which he is not entitled.

1 157~2~3 Still a furthcr o~ject is to provide a pur(le con~rol of the type described including clevices or lete~ti~ en a note or notes h.ls been left in the systelll following a dis-pensing operation and for recovering such notes before -they can be removed by an unauthorized individual.
Yet a further object is to provide a purge control oE
the type described including interlock device~ to prevent an operator from gaining access t.o t~le ~I;s~)~nsing C11LImbOr during a purge operation.
Still an additional object is to L)rovide an au-tomatic dispensing system of the -type described employing a discharge device for purging dispensed IlOteS from a dispe~ ing chaml~er in the event that notes are left in the dispensinc3 apparatus ¦ due to an incomplete dispensing operation.
¦ To achie~e the foregoing objects and in accordance with a first aspect of the invention, a note dispensing system is provided including means fox re~luesting a note dispensing operation, a dispensing chamber having an access door by which an operator can gain access to the chamber, means for dispensing at least one note into the chamber in response to a dispensing operation request, security means for locking ¦ the access door during a note dispensing operation and for unlocking the door upon completion of the operation to pennit the operator to open the door to remove the note, and ¦ purge means for discharging the dispensed note from the chamber if the door is not opened Withill a set p.riod of time following the unlocking of the door by the security means.

I ~S7~3~8 In accordance with another aspect o:f the invention, a note dispensing system is provided including request means for requesting a note dispensiny operation, a dispensing l chamber, means, means for dis~ensing at least one note into th~ chamber in response to a dis~)cllsing operation request, operator-actuatable access m~dn~ collditione~ in ~e~pons~ to completion of the dispensinc3 ope:ration Eor permitting an operator to gain access to the chamber to remove the note, a l tiltable platform included in the chamber for receiving the note after the dispensing operation, and purc3e means for tilting the platform to discharge the note from the chamber if the operator does not actuate the access means within a ¦ set period of time after the latter has been conditioned for operation.
lS In accordance with still another aspect of the invention, a note dispensing system is provided including request means for requesting a note dispensing opcration, a dispensing chamber, means for dispensing at least one note into the chamber in response to a dispensing operation request, operator-actuatable access means for permitting an opera-tor to gain access to the chamber to remove the note, and purge means including a platform providcd in the ch~nbcr for rccciving the notc aftcr the di.spcnsin(J operation, note ¦I sensing means for sensing the presence o~ a note on the ¦ platform, and control means responsive -to the note sensing I means for discharging the dispensed note from the chamber if the note sensing means continues to sense the presence of the note on the platform for a predctermined pcriod of time following actuation oi the ~cc~s medns.

~ _5_ ~ i l I :~7a~3 In accordance wi.th still a further aspect of the inven-tion, there is provided in an automatic note dispensing system including dispensing means for clispensing a note into a dispensing chamber, and :Eurther including purge means for S automatically discharging the note from the chamber, and operator-actuatable access means Eor permitt.in(3 an o~erat,or to gain access to the chamber to remove the note, a method for controlliny the dispensing system including the stcps of locking the access means to inhibit operator access to the chamber during the dispensing operation, unlockinq thc access means on completion of the dispensing opcrati,on to permit the operator to actuate the access means and remove the note, and operating the purge means to discharge the note from the chamber if the access means is not actuated within a set period of time after it is unlocked.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a dispensing system including a dispensing chamber having an access door by which an operator can gain access to the chamber, means for dispensing an item into the chamber, security means for locking the access door during a dispensing operation and for unlocking the door upon completion of the operation to permit the operator to open said door to remove the itcm, purge means for automatically discharging l the item from the chamber, and control mcans for actuati.ng 2~ 1 the security means to lock the access door during the opera-tion of the purge means.
¦ The accompanying drawings which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illust.rate a preferred l embod:i.mcnt of tilC invcnt:ion and t:o(lcthcr Witll .1 clcs(ri~)tic ~ serve to explain the prlnciples of the i.nvention.

I Is7~2a BR_,F DE:!3CIlIPTlON C)F l'H~ I~RAWINGS
FIG. 1 i~ a perspective view, partially sectioned, of the customer or opera-tor's panel which permits the operator to make a note dispensing request and to rec~ive dispensed notes.
FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a cash dispensing system incorporating the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a cross-section view taken through the cash dispensiny chamber associated with the panel of Fi~J. 1.
FIG. 4 i5 a schematic block diagram of the control microprocessor employed in the system to operate the cash ¦dispenser and purge control.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart diagram depicting control firmwarc stored in the microprocessor for operating the purge control of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart diagram depicting additional firmware stored in the microprocessor for controlling the purge subroutine which is a part of the firmware depicted in Fig. 5.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart diagram showing microprocessor firm-ware used ko control the cash dispensing unit during a power-up cycle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ~MBODIMENT
~'ig. 1 shows the operator ~anel 3Ga which forms the ~5 l~customer or operator interface for the system of the invention.
¦!The panel includes a cash or not~ access door 40 whicl~ may b~
actuated by the operator by raising handle 41 to gain access ¦to the note dispensing chamber to remove any cash or notes Itherein. An instruction scre n 42, e.~., the face of a ~cathode ray tube (CRT), is controlled by -the system to display step-by-step instructions for walking the operator ~ 1578R~3 through each ~ran-;actLon. ~ lO-k~y kcybo.~rd 44 ~rovi~ed on the panel 36a enables the opcrator to enter data which is required to request and complete the transaction. A slot 46 is provided ~or presenting a transaction receipt to the customer for those transactions which require a receipt. A
further slot 48 is providcd to enable thc opcrator to inse~rt Il his personal identification c~rd into thc panel, cn~ g a ¦¦ card reader located behind the panel to read the data on the card and feed it to the system in accordance with known system operation procedures. The operator panel also includes a depository station 50 including a deposit slot for receiving an envelope or envelopes inserted by the operator during deposit transactions.
In general, to operate the system, the operator inserts an identification card, which includes magnetically encoded data uniquely identifying the operator, into slot 48 oE the operator's panel. The card reader alerts the system to the upcoming transaction and feeds the data on the card through l the system to identify the operator. Thereafter, instructions 2n ¦ are displayed on the screen 42 and the operator responds ¦ thereto by keying in his personal identification number (PIN) via keyboard 44. The PIN is compared with the data on the identification card to validate the transaction request.
Thereafter, the operator utilizes the keyboard 44 to inform ~ the system of the type of transaction desired, the amount ¦ involved, etc. When the transaction involves the delivery of ¦cash, the system causes notes to be dispensed into the ! dispensing chamber located behind access door 40 and, when l signalled by the system, the operatQr ol)cns the door and 3~ ¦ removes the cash.
A general block diagram of the overall system is shown in Fig. 2. llhe ;trl~ctlJrt? all-l op~L-ltioll I;f tlle ~ystem i-;

7~2~

described in de-tail in U.S~ patent ~,075,460 issued to Richard A. Gorgen~, which is incorporated herein by refer-ence. In general, the system comprises a centrali~ed computer 10 and memory unit 12 which is in communication S via data lines 15 with a remote terminal 14 including a cash dispenser 36 and operator panel 36a. PIN data keyed into keyboard 22 by the operator is fed to a PIN signal generator 30 -to generate a signal representative of a series of numbers entered by the operator, which signal is denoted by reference character Y.
A BIT signal generator 32 is responsive to PIN signal generator 30 to generate a signal representative of the number of bits in the PIN signal generated by signal gen-erator 30. The BIT signal is transferred via one of the lines 15 to the computer 10. A transaction rlata generator 24 encodes transaction data entered into keyboard 22 and transmits it to the computer 10 via the lines 15. The magnetic card reader 20, which reads the data from the cus-tomer identification card inserted into slot 48 (Fig. 1), transmits the card data signal Z to the computer. The computer controls the display device 38 to display operator instructions appropriate to the type of transaction.
A security device, for example, microprocessor 34, receives the Y and Z signals from the signal generator 30 and card rgader 20, respectively, and in addition receives an X signal from the computer 10 and, upon appropriate validation of all three signals as described in Canadian Patent 1,087,734, Richard A. Gorgens, October 14, 1980, issues a dispense signal to cash dispenser 36. This initiates a dispensing operation for dispensing the requested notes into the dispensing chamber associated with the operator panel 36a.

l 15'782B

Fig. 3 illustrates the note disperlsin~ system and dis-pensing chamber utilized in accordance with the invention. The dispensing system comprises a feed module 52, a transporter module 54, a purge bin 56, and a dispensing chamber 58. The feed module comprises conven~ional elements for storing a supply of not~s and mcans for automatic~llly ece(~itl-J a particlll.lr number of notes on command from microprocessor 34 to the feed chute 78 provided in the transporter module 54. A
plurality of feed rolls 84 are positioned along the chute -18 and function during a dispensing operation to fced a note or notes frorn the module 52 to the dispensing chamber 58. The entire dispensing apparatus is contained within a safe, the front wall of which is shown at 53.
As shown in Fig. 3, dispensing chamber 58 is positioned behind the access door 40 and receives dispensed notes through a slot 61. Dispensed notes fall to the bottom o~ the chamber and are rcceivcd on a ~)latform GO comprisin~ a f~at rectan~ular plate. The access door 40 is pivotally mounted on the l chamber sidewalls by means of a pair of stub shafts on 2C ¦ either side of the door, one of which as shown as shaft 62 in Fiy. 3.
Pivot shaft 62 includes a sensing ar~ 64 which i5 affixcd to and rotatcs with tho shaft. ~rm 64 activatcs .~ ¦
sensing switch 66, such as a microswitch, whcre~l~on a control ~ signal DC is generated by the switch 66 indicating that the access door 40 is in the fully closed position as shown.
Sensing arm 64 and switch 66 are located inside the area of the safe on the opposite side of the dispensing chamber wall so that they cannot be tampere~d with by .~ pcrs-)n outside thc 3~ safe.

1 1~7828 The platform 60, which form~ thc bottom sur~ace of the dispensing chamber, is mountecl Oll a E~ivoL sllai~ 1() so that it can be pivoted to the opened position shown in dashed lines 60a in Fig. 3. A control motor 68, also located inside the safe area, is coupled, as E~y a gear train, to the shaft 70 and is operated by signals from microprocessor 34 in a manner to be described to tilt the platform 60 botwecn the upper (closed) position shown in solid lines and the lower (open) position shown in dashed lines and back a~3aill for the purpose of purging the dispensing chamber o~ IlOtOS Ullder predetermined purge conditions to be de~ined hereinafter.
A note sensing device 72 is provided on the underside of platform 60 and operates through an aperture 73 to sense the presence of a note on the platform. Sensing device 72 may, for example, be a photo-optical device which reflectively senses any object covering aperture 73. To this end the sensor projects a narrow beam of light through aperture 73 upward into the chamber 58. A light receiving ap~rture positioned-immediately adjacent to the projecting aperture 2G will collect radiation reflected from any object such as a bill or a note located immediately above it, i.e., on the platform 60. A photocell provided in sensor 72 senses the radiation and generates the output signal NP, indicating ~-the presence of a note. When no note is present, no radia-tion is sensed and the signal NP assumes a different, i.e~, lower, level. An alternative sensing tecllllique would be to provide a reflective surface on the top wall of the chamber which would reflect a more intense projected beam of light back to the serlsing apcrture WhCII 110 notc w~s E>rescnt in thc ¦ chamb~ . Thus, in this latter case, the absence cE reflected ~ -11-l i 1S7~32~

light, and thus the lowe:r level of MP, woul~ reproserlt the note present conditi.on in a manrler opposite to the former arrangement.
, A sensing and l~tching moclule 74 is affixed ~o the front wall of the apparatus just below the purge platform 60. Sensing and latching mod~lle 74 includes a sensing switch (not shown) similar to switch 66 for providing an output signal PU designating that the platforrn 60 i.3 in the upper or closed position as shown in solid lines. Module 74 ].0 also includes a latching mechanism (also not showll) for locking access door 40 in the clo6ed ~osition and for gener-ating an output signal D~ indicating the lakched condition.
The latching mechanism may be, for example, a solenoid actuated latch bolt or similar device which is controllable ¦ for latching and unlatching the access door in response to remote signals from microprocessor 34. The signal DL may be generated by, for example, a microswitch similar to the switch 66 which is positioned to sense when the latching mechanism is in the latched condition. A further senslng switch 76 is provided on a flange below the pla-tform 60 and operates to generate an output signal PD when the platform 60 is in its lower or open position, as illustrated by dashed lines 60a in Fig. 3.
¦ A removable collecti.on bin or tray 56 is positioned as 2S I shown in Fig. 3 below the dispensing chamber 58 to receive ¦ and retain any notes which are discharged from the chamber ¦ when the platform 60 is tilted to its lower posi-tion, in ¦ accordance with the operation oE the invention as herein-I after described.

1 157~2~3 ¦ Fig. 4 illustrates tlle lntercorln~ction between micro-processor 34 alld the cash dispenser unit 36 insofar ~s operation of -the present invention is concerned. The micro-processor 34 includes interface sections 34a and 34b, a timing ~ and arithmetic logic Ulli.t 34C, .1 c~lltrol <;t:ore .~;ection 34(1, lland a branching and sequence control section 34e. Thc micro~
,¦processor may comprise, for example, a standard 8085 rnicro-jprocessor chip module as manufactured by Intel Corporation.
jThe microprocessor receives the X, Y, and Z signals from the llcomputer 10, PIN signal generator 30, and card reader 20, ¦respectively. If desired, these signals may be combined in ¦a serial data stream, as in a communications link, rather than being transmitted on separate lincs. The micro~)rocessor ~ generates an output signal DN which is transmitted to the computer 10 under certain conditions indicating that the terminal 14 requires manual intervention by a bank employee to service a condition which tlle system cannot automatically handle.
When microprocessor 34 determines, in response to the X, Y, and Z signals, that a cash dispensing operation is to be initiated, it transmits a DIS signal to the cash dispenser ¦unit 36, triggering the latter to begin the feeding of bank notes from the storage module 52 to the disyensin~ chamber l 58. Various additional signals associated with cont:rol of ¦ the note dispensing operation are transmitted between the cash dispenser and the microprocessor via lines 90 and 92. The specific control functions associated with these signals are not pertinen-t to the present invention and are l not described hereirl.
1 Sic~nals required for controllin(l the ~urge function in accordance with the present invention are transmitted from 115'78~ ~

the mieroprocessor to the cash dispenser via lirles 94 and from the cash dispellser to the rn-icroproccssc)r via lines 96.
The latter signal5 inelude the door elosed signal DC, the note present signal NP, the door latehed signal DL, the S platform up signal PU, and the platEorm down signal PD gener-ated as previously deseribed. I'he control signals generated by the mieroprocessor and transferred via lines 94 include a loek door signal l.D, an unlock door signal UD, a lower platform signal LP, and a raise ~latform signal ~P.
The loek door signal LD functiolls to activate thc3 latehing deviee in latehing and scnsing module 74 to latch the aeeess door 40. The unloek door signal UD deaetivates the latching device to unlatch the aeeess door. Lower platform signal LP energizes motor 68 (Fig. 3) to tilt plat-form 60 in the eountereloekwise direction until thc platform down signal PD is generated. The raise platform signal RP
energizes drive motor 68 in the oppositc dircction until the platform up signal PU is generatedO
Control of the system for effeeting a purge operation is exereised by mieroinstruetions stored in control store seetion 34d of the mieroproeessor. The microinstruetions are represented by the flowehart cliaqr~ms of l~ s. 5, 6, and 7. Fig. 5 shows the basic routinc ~or contro'llin-~ thc portion of the note dispensing o~eraLiol-l WhiC]I permits the operator to open the aecess door and remove the dispensed notes. Fig. 6 represents the microinstructions employed in the purge subroutine wherein dispenscd notcs arc discharged from the dispensing ehamber 58 under specified purge conditions.
Fig. 7 illustrates the microinstructions which control the dispensing unit during system start-up.

1 1$7~

OPERATION
Referring to Figs. 3, 5, 6, and 7, operation of the automatic dispensing and purge control system of the invention is hereinafter described.
It can be assumed that during the first portion of the dispensing operation when notes are being fed through dispensing chute 78 into the chamber 58, the platform 60 is in its up position, and access door 40 is closed and la~ched (locked). Thus, the signals DC, DL, and PU will be supplied to the microprocessor from the cash dispenser unit. Since it i5 also assumed that notes have actually been delivered into the dispensing chambex, the note present signal NP will also be generated at this time.
When the microprocessor determines that the dispensing operation is completed, the microprogram advances from the dispense complete step S1 (Fig. 5) to step ~la. Branching step Sla tests for the presence oE any system error signal which may have been received by the microprocessor during the preceding dispensing operation. Such a signal is stored in a designated ~lip-flop or register in the microprocessor.
The presence of such a signal indicates a system irregularity such as a detected dispensing error, e.g., a double feed or miscount. If such a signal is present, the program exits steps Sla via the Y branch and proceeds directly to the purge step S21.
Assuming that no system error signal is present, the program proceeds to step S2. This causes the microprocessor to issue control signal UD which is supplied to the cash dispenser unit and which deactivates the latching device in sensing and latching module 74, unlatching and thus unlocking 1 15 7~28 the access cloor 40. Program step Sl also starts a timer ]., which is internally set up within rnicrol~roc~ssor 34 and which may comprise, for cxarn~lc, a counter re(lister i.n th~
ALU. The timing interval establ:ished by timer 1 is selected to reflect the normal time required for -the various mechanical operations wi.thin the purge systcm to take place, i.e., the door locking and unlocking and the pur~Je platfo.rm raising and lowering operations.
The program thereaf-ter advances to step S3, ~oor Unlocked?, in which the signal DL is tested to determine whether the unlocking operation has occurred. Initially, DI.
will indicate the continued presence of the latched condition, so the program branches to step S4 where the state of timer 1 is tested. If the timer has not timed out, the program loops back to step S3. The program con-tinues to traverse the S3-S4 loop until either DL indicates that the door is unlocked or timer 1 times out. If the latter occurs first, step S22 is entered, signalling that an unresolvable problem has been encountered and that the dispensing apparatus should be shut down. This causes the microprocessor to issue the signal DN to the computer 10, whereupon the lattsr provides an indication that the terminal 1.4 requires operator attention and.all ~urther dispensing commands are inhibited.
However, if in step S3 the signal DI. indi.cates that the 2~ access door 40 is unlatched normally, the program takes the ¦ Y exit from step S3 and advances to step S5 whereul?on ti.mer 1 is reset and a timer 2 is started. The interval set by timer 2 establishes a time window during which the operator who has requested the note dispcnsing opcration must oper access door 40.

~ -16-1 1~7~2~

A~ter the start of timer 2, the ~royram advances to step S6 and thereafter branches to step S7, whereupon it loops back to S6. The timing loop including steps S6 and S7 continues to be traversed until either ti1C access door is opened or timer 2 times out. In t1~c case where the access door is opened be~ore the timor lin1(~; o~ i1U ~)ro1Jr.~
the Y exit from bxanching step S6 and at1varlccs to stè~) S8, whereupon timer 2 is reset and a timer 3 is started. Tho interval established by timer 3 defines tile lcngtl1 oE time which an operator would normally take to remove the notes from -the disL~e11sing chambor, oncc ~ho ac( ess door is opened.
The program advances immediately Erom step sa to S9, which is a branching step in which the NP control signal from the cash dispenser unit is te~ited. The pro~ram branches through S9 to step SlO, loops back to step S9 and continues to traverse the S9-SlO loop until either the signal NP
indicates th~t no no~e is present; in t~1C disE~ensin~3 chamber or the timer 3 times out. If the notes are removed from platform 60 before timer 3 times out, the program advances through the N exit from branch S9 and enters branching step Sll, whereupon the control signal DC is tested to determine whether access door 40 is closed.
The Sll~SI2 loop is traver;ed u11tiL titll~r t11e si(lr1al DC indicates that the access door ha; becn closed or timer 3 ¦ times out. If the access door is closed before timer 3 times out, the program takes the N exit from step Sll and ¦ advances to step Sl3 in which the timer 3 is reset. Thereafter, ¦ step Sl4 is executed to lock access door 40 and restart timer ¦ l. This causes the microprocessor to issue t~1e LD cont:rol ¦ signal to the cash dispenser unit to en(rc3i~e the latching ~ 1~78~

device in module 74 to engage the door latch and lock the doo~ ~0. The program next enters step Sl5 whe~eupon the control signals DC and DL are tested to determine if the door is actually locked. These signals must both be present to indicate that the door is loclced. The program traverses the SlS-Sl6 loop until either t11~ 10~king state is establ.ish~d or un-til timer l times out. If the door lockG normally, the program exits step 515 through l:he Y br,111ch and ontcrs St.l3~
Sl7, resetting -timer l. Thereafter the ~rogram proceeds to s-tep Sl8, signalling the microprocessor that the dispensed notes have been removed in the normal fashion, that the access door has been locked, and that the system is in condition to perform another dispensing operation.
If ln step Sl5 the signal DC continues to indicate that ¦ the door is not closed or the signal DL continues to indicate that the latch is not engaged prior to the time timer l times out, the program takes the Y exit from step Sl6 and executes Down step S23~ whereupon the microprocessor issues l the DN signal -to computer lO, inhibiting further dispensing ¦ operations until the locking failure situation is resolved through operator intervention.
If, during the time that the program was traversing the S6-S7 timing loop, timer 2 times out before the control l signal DC indicates that the access door is open, the program ¦ takes the Y exit from step S7 and e~ecutes the purge subroutine of step S21 to discharge any notes that may be present in the dispensing chamber into the purge bin 56. Likewise, if during the tlme that the program is traversing the S9-SlO
tlming loop, timer 3 times out before the NP sigllal indicates 3~ that the notes have been removed from the platform 60, the ~ 78~

program takes the Y braneh out o~ stcp SlO and enters the purge routine S21 through branehillg stcp S20. The purge is executed only if the access door ls closed as determined in step S20 by testing the signal DC.
If the door is not elosed, the program branches to Down step Sl9 and the dispensing system is shut down to await operator intervention. Down step S19 is also executed in the event that the program exits ~rom timing loop Sll-S12 via braneh Y oP step S12. This oceurs if the acc~ss door i9 not elosed within the period of timer 3.
The purge subroutine S21 is depicted in the ~lowchart ¦ diagram of Fig. 6. The first step in the subroutine, Pl, ¦ funetions to loek aeeess door 40 and start timer 1. The ¦ steps Pl, P2, P3, and P15 operate identically to the previ-¦ ously aeseribed loeking steps S14, S15, S16, and S23 to ¦ either confirm the locking of the aceess door or to eause ¦ the issuanee of a DN si~nal Er~m tlle m;croproces!;or to ¦ inhibit further dispensing operations until the unloeked door eondition is resolved by operator intervention.
~fter the aeeess door is locked, the purge program advanees to step P4 to reset timer 1 and thenee to step P5, whereupon the mieroproeessor restarts timer 1 and issues the eontrol signal LP to aetivate platform control motor 68.
This eauses purge platform 60 to be driv~n counterclockwise to dump any notes thereon into the purge bin 56. This dump operation is monitored by the timing loop comprising steps P6-P7 sueh that if a note is still detected on the platform when timer 1 times out, the system executes step Pl3 and shuts down. If the purge is successful, the timing loop is exited through braneh N of step P6 and stcp P8 is executed to reset timer l.

1 ~5'~28 Thereafter, the program advances to step P9, whereupon timer 1 is restarked and the eontrol sigrlal RP is issued by the mieroprocessor. This rever~es motor 68 and drives the purge platform 60 is a elockwise direction until the signal S PU is proclueed by the sensing m~cl~llo 74. If this does not oeeur before timer 1 times out, tinlincJ loop P10-~11 is exited via braneh Y of step Pll an(l the systcm sh~ts down via step P14, whereupon the DN ollt:put i~ ~roduced by rnicro-proeessor 34 inhibiting further oper~tion of the dispensing system until operator intervention resolves thc ;ituation.
If platform 60 eloses normally, the program takes exit Y from step P10 and exeeutes step P12 whieh resets timer 1.
Thereafter, tho procJram proeeeds ~:o R~DY ste[~ S]B of the main program, thus signalling the eompletion of the purge operation and indieating that the system is in condition to handle further dispensing operations.
Purge eontrol is also provided in the system of the present invention during the initial power-up cycle followiny a system shut down. Sinee the sys~em shut down may have been eaused by a power outage or other type of failure eondition, there is a possibility that one or more notes may have been left in the dispensing apparatus in a positioll wllieh will c~usc them to bc ~ed into the di;~ in~l chambcr (ll~rin~ tlle first dispensing operation following the power-up cycle. As shown in Fig. 7, a mieroprogram routine ineluded in miero-proeessor 34 is exereised durinc3 tlle power on eycle to pur~e any notes that ma~ have been left in the system.
After reeeiving the power on indication from host com-E~uter l~ in step Al, the program pro~ee~; to ste~ A2 where ¦ access door 40 is locked. Following tha~, a timing loop -2()-comprising st~ps A3 and A4 i5 executed to assure that the door is locked properly. As described previously in conncc-tion with Figs. 5 and 6, branching stcp A3 tests for the simultaneous presence of the door close signal DC and ~he door latch signal DL from the C~Stl dispcnsor unit.
AEter the access door is locketl and timcr 1 is reset (step A6), the program proceeds to step A7 whcre the feed mo~or associated with the note ~eedirlc~ apparatus ln module 54 is turned on for approximately two seconds to clear an~
notes remaining in the eed into the dispensin~J chamb~r 58.
Thereafter, branching step AB is entorecl and tests Eor the note present signal NP from the cash dispenser. If NP
indicates the pres~nce of a note in the chamber, the program l exits step A8 via the Y branch and e~ecutes purge step A9.
The latter may be identical to st~p S21 of Fig. 5, which has been described in detail in connection with Fig. 6.
IJpon compl.etion o~ t:h~ ~ur~ roul~ , t:h(-` pro(lr.lln advances to system ready step A10 and signals the system that the dispensing system is ready for operation. If a note was not detected in step A8, the program exits via the N branch thereof and proceeds directly to step A10 to generate the system ready indication.
Thus, reviewing the above operations, it is seen that the system of the invention provides d pur~e c(~ trol for discharqing notes which have been dispensed into an operator accessible dispensing chamber if a feecling irregularity, system error, power outage or the like occurs during a d;spensing operatiorl or i~ the access door to the chamber is not operated within a set period of tilllt foLlowiny the~
dispensinq operation. Furthermore, if the access door is il57~28 opened but a dispensed note or notes or other object is left in the chamber a~ter a predetermined ~)~riocl of timc followin~3 the opening of the door, the purge control system also operates to discharge the remainin(J notes or objects from the cham~er before further operation of the dispensing system is permitted.
The purge control thus prcvcnts a situation in whic}
notes inadvertcntly or erroneo-lsly I~E~ the clis~ensillg ch~nber become accessible to an unauthorized operatox. Lt further will puxge any foreign o~jects which ma~ be leet intentionally or otherwise in the cham~er by an operator.
Furthermore, the microprocessor is able, by keeping a record of the occurrences of purge operations during specified l transactions, to provide confirming evidcnce which may be lS ¦ used to either support or refute a customer claim that he did not receive the full amount of cash requested. If a customer makes such a claim, and the record of the transaction indicates that a purge operation was perfonned, then evidence tending to confinn the customer's claim is provided.
However, if the record of the transaction indicates that no purge operation was perforrned, the evidence indicates that the customer's claim is probably false.
Thus, in summary, it is seen that in accordance with the invention described herein, a note dispcnsing system is provided having means for requesting a notc dispensing operation and further including a dispensing chamber havirlg an access door by which the operator can gain access to the chamber. As illustrated in the exemplary embodiment herein-above described, requesting means includcs the o~erator panel 36a having the keyboard 22 for permitting an operator to I 1~

request a note clispensing operation. rrhe disperlsin~ chamber and access door are represented in the exemplary embodiment by, respectively, the chamber 58 ancl door ~0.
Further in accordance with the invcntiol- the system incor~or.l~cs mclrl; for di;~ ;in~l .It lea;t on( Ill~te ;nto l:l)e chamber in response to a dispen~ g ~E,~ratioll rc-lu~st ~nd security mcans for lockint3 tl~e access door dur;n~ a note dispenslng o~cration and ~or unlockin(J the door ul)on coln-pletion of the operation to permit the operator to open thc door to remove the notc. As illustrated in ~le exempl~ry embodiment hereinabove described, the me.lns eor dispensing at least one note is represented ~y, for exanlpl~, the cash dispenser modulcs 52 and 54, the corn~)llter ]0, an(l the micro-processor 34, includiny the basic cash dispensing control lS microprogram instructions stored therein. The security means for locking and unlocking the access door is represented for example by the door sensing switches and the portions of the control microprogram represented by the steps Sl-S4 and S14-S16 shown in Fig. 5.
Still further, the described invention includes purge means for discharging the dispensed note~ from the dispensing chamber if the access door is not opened within a set period of tim~ Collow;n(l th~ llnlockill~J (,r ~llt~ doOr l~y I l~t' 'iCCllri ~.y means. As illustrated in the exelllE~lary clnbodimcnt described, the purge means is represented by the platform 60 and tilt controls therefor including motor 68, shaft 70 and the associated sensing devices 74 and 76, as well as the portions of the control mlcroprogram represented by steps SS through S7 and S21 sht>wn in ri(3. 5.

~ i 157~

Further in accordance with the invention, as hereinabove described, operator-actuatabl~ access me~ns ar~ provided for permitting an operator to gain access to the dispensing ch~nber to remove dispensed notes. As illustrated in the above described exemplary embodiment, such operator-ac-tuatable access means is represente(l by, Eor examl71.e, thc access dc~or 40 which requires operator actuatioll i.ll t:he form of an opening movement. Furthermore, ttle pur(l~ means is provicl~d with a platform included in the clisl)ensirlg ch~ c)c:r for receiving a note after a dlspensing operation, nc)te sensin~
means for sensing the presence of a no-te on the platform, and control means responsive to the note sensing means for discharging the dispensed note from the chamber if the note sensing means continues to sense the presence of the note on lS the platform for a predetermined period of time following actuation of the access means.
As illustrated in the above-described exemplary embodi-ment, the platfo~n is represented by platform 60 and the note sensing means is represented by the photo-optical sensing unit 72 and aperture 73. The control means responsive to the note sensing means includes the tilting control elements associated with platform 60 as well as the portions of the control micropro~ram representecl by steps S8, S9, S10, and S20 together with the ~urge su~)routille S21.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modif:ications and variations coulcl bc m,lde to the embodiment of the invention as hereinabove clescribed without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (35)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. A note dispensing system comprising, in combination:
means for requesting a note dispensing operation;
a dispensing chamber having an access door by which an operator can gain access to said chamber;
means for dispensing at least one note into said chamber in response to a dispensing operation request;
security means for locking said access door during a note dispensing operation and for unlocking said door upon completion of said operation to permit said operator to open said door to remove said note; and purge means for discharging said dispensed note from said chamber if said door is not opened within a set period of time following the unlocking of said door by said security means, said dispensing chamber comprising fixed top, rear and side walls, one of said fixed walls being formed with a narrow slot for receiving notes from said means for dispensing, said means for dispensing being blocked from an opening covered by said access door by said fixed walls, said dispensing chamber further comprising a bottom wall tiltable about a shaft, said purge means comprising means for tilting said bottom wall about said shaft for purging only when said access door is closed whereby said bottom wall coacts with said top, rear and side walls to prevent access to said means for dispensing through the opening covered by said access door.

2. The system set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for requesting comprises an operator panel having means for enabling said operator to generate said dispensing operation request and wherein said dispensing chamber is located proximate to said panel.

3. The system set forth in claim 1 in which said security means further comprises means operable, if said door is opened within said set period of time, for relocking said door after said note has been removed from said chamber.

4. The system set forth in claim 1 wherein said fixed rear wall is formed with a narrow slot for receiving a note to be dispensed.

5. The system set forth in claim 1 and further comprising, a platform pivot shaft pivotally supporting said tiltable bottom platform and located outside said dispensing chamber, a control motor located outside said dispensing chamber, means for mechanically coupling said control motor to said platform pivot shaft for selectively rotating said pivot shaft when said control motor is energized to move said tiltable bottom platform between a closed normally substantially horizontal position for supporting notes to be dispensed and an open nearly vertical position for purging any notes not removed from said dispensing chamber by gravity, and a purge bin below said tiltable bottom platform for receiving purged notes when said tiltable bottom platform is in the open position.

6. The system set forth in claim 1 in which said purge means comprises sensing means for providing a signal representa-tive of the presence of a note in said chamber, said sensing means being located in said system adjacent said dispensing chamber with said top, side and bottom walls preventing access to said sensing means through said access opening when said door is open.

7. The system set forth in claim 1 in which said purge means comprises:
a tiltable plate comprising said bottom wall positioned to receive said note when it is dispensed into said chamber; and means for tilting said plate to allow gravity to discharge said note from said chamber if said door is not opened within said set period of time.

8. The system set forth in claim 3 or claim 7 further comprising a purge bin for collecting notes discharged from said chamber by said purge means.

9. The system set forth in claim 1 wherein said tiltable bottom platform is formed with a small opening that is covered and uncovered upon the presence and absence respectively of a note in said dispensing chamber, and sensing means adjacent to said opening outside said dispensing chamber for providing a signal representative of the presence and absence of a note in said chamber.

10. The system set forth in claim 9 wherein said means for sensing comprises photo-optical means for reflectively sensing any object covering said opening.

11. The system set forth in claim 1 wherein said access door is pivotally mounted on pivot shafts supported in said fixed side walls at least one of which passes through one of said side walls, a sensing arm outside said dispensing chamber secured to and rotating with said at least one pivot shaft, and switching means outside said dispensing chamber actuated by said sensing arm for providing a door closed signal when said access door is closed.

12. The system set forth in claim 11 and further comprising, a platform pivot shaft pivotally supporting said tiltable bottom platform and located outside said dispensing chamber, a control motor located outside said dispensing chamber, means for mechanically coupling said control motor to said platform pivot shaft for selectively rotating said pivot shaft when said control motor is energized to move said tiltable bottom platform between a closed normally substantially horizontal position for supporting notes to be dispensed and an open nearly vertical position for purging any notes not removed from said dispensing chamber by gravity, and a purge bin below said tiltable bottom platform for receiving purged notes when said tiltable bottom platform is in the open position.

13. A method of controlling an automatic note dispensing system including dispensing means for dispensing a note into a dispensing chamber at the request of an operator, purge means for automatically discharging said note from said chamber, and operator-actuatable access means for permitting an operator to gain access to said chamber to remove said note, comprising the steps of:
locking said access means to inhibit operator access to said chamber during said dispensing operation;
unlocking said access means on completion of said dispensing operation to permit said operator to actuate said access means and remove said note; and operating said purge means to discharge said note from said chamber if said access means is not actuated within a set period of time after it is unlocked, upon failure of said system, and upon occurrence of interruption of power to said system.

14. The method set forth in claim 13 wherein said system includes a microprocessor and further including the steps of providing to said microprocessor a DC signal when said access door is closed, a DL signal when said access door is locked and a PU
signal when said tiltable bottom platform is upright in a generally horizontal position for supporting notes to be dispensed, sensing completion of the dispensing operation, then testing for the presence of any system error signal which may have been received by said microprocessor during the preceding dispensing operation, then operating said purge means to discharge said note from said dispensing chamber upon sensing a system error signal, providing a control signal UD for unlocking the access door in the absence of a system error signal to unlock said access door, then activating a timer for establishing a timing interval for establishing a predetermined mechanical operations timing interval, alternately sensing a signal source representative of whether said access door is unlocked and a signal provided by said timer indicative of whether said mechanical operations timing interval has expired until sensing that either said access door is unlocked or said mechanical operations -timing interval has expired, disabling said dispensing system if said mechanical operations timing interval expires before sensing said access door is unlocked, resetting said timer upon sensing said access door is unlocked before said mechanical operations timing interval has expired and starting a second timer for establishing an operator time interval during which an operator who has requested the note dispensing operation must open said access door, alternately sensing whether said access door is opened or said operator time interval has expired until either said access door is open or said operator time interval expires, initiating said purge operation if said operator time interval expires before said door is opened, resetting said second timer if said access door is opened before said operator time interval expires and starting a third timer for defining a note removal time interval corresponding to the length of time an operator would normally take to remove notes from said dispensing chamber once said access door is opened, alternately sensing an NP control signal representative of whether a note is present in said dispensing chamber and the state of said third timer until said NP signal indicates that no note is present in said dispensing chamber or said note removal time interval has expired, alternately sensing a DC control signal representative of said access door being closed and said third timer until either said DC signal indicates said access door has been closed or said note removal time interval expires, initiating said purge operation if said note removal interval expires, resetting said third timer if said access door is closed before said note removal time interval expires, then locking said access door and restarting said first timer, sensing said DC and DL control signals alternately with said first timer until said door is locked or said mechanical operations time interval expires, resetting said first timer if said access door is locked before said mechanical control time interval expires, then signaling said microprocessor that the dispensed notes have been removed in normal fashion, said access door has been locked and said system is in condition to perform another dispensing operation.

15. The method set forth in claim 14 wherein the initiation of said purge operation includes the following steps, locking said access door and starting said first timer, resetting said first timer when said access door is locked, restarting said first timer and providing an LP control signal that tilts said tiltable bottom platform to dump any notes thereon into a purge bin below, alternately sensing said NP signal and the state of said first timer to disable said dispensing system if a note is present on said tiltable bottom platform when said mechanical operations interval expires, resetting said first timer if said tiltable bottom platform is free of notes before said mechanical operations timing interval expires, then restarting said first timer and providing an RP control signal for restoring said tiltable bottom platform to its normally generally horizontal position to restore said tiltable bottom platform to its normally generally horizontal position until said PU signal is provided, disabling said note dispensing system if said tiltable bottom platform does not return to its normally generally horizontal position before said mechanical operations timing interval expires, providing a signal when said tiltable bottom platform returns to its normal generally horizontal position to signal completion of said purge operation and ready said note dispensing system for handling further note dispensing operations.

16. The method according to claim 15 and further including initiating said purge operation in response to the initial power-up cycle following a shut-down of said note dispensing system.

17. A method of controlling an automatic note dispensing system including dispensing means for dispensing a note into a dispensing chamber having fixed top, rear and side walls one of which is formed with a narrow slot for receiving a note to be dispensed, an access door and a tiltable bottom platform formed with a small opening, at the request of an operator, purge means including said -tiltable bottom platform for automatically dis-charging said note from said chamber, and operator-actuatable access means including said access door for permitting an operator to gain access to said chamber to remove said note, comprising the steps of:
sensing whether said access means is in an actuated state;
sensing through said small opening in said tiltable bottom platform whether a note is present or absent in said chamber; and operating said purge means by tilting said tiltable bottom platform to discharge said note from said chamber after a note dispensing if said second-mentioned sensing step continues to indicate the presence of a note in said chamber for a predeter-mined period of time after said first-mentioned sensing step indicates the actuation of said access means.

18. The method set forth in claim 17 comprising the further step of:
inhibiting said purge operation and locking said access means to prevent said operator from gaining further access to said chamber if said second-mentioned sensing step indicates the absence of a note in said chamber after said first-mentioned sensing step indicates the actuation of said access means.

19. The method set forth in claim 18 comprises the further step of:

inhibiting said locking operation and disabling further operation of said dispensing means if said first-mentioned sensing step indicates that said access means remains in the actuated state for more than said predetermined period of time.

20. A method of purging a dispensed note from a dispensing chamber in an automatic note dispensing system including means for feeding a note into a dispensing chamber in response to a note dispensing request and operator-actuatable access means for permitting an operator to gain access to said chamber to remove said note, comprising the steps of:
testing for the presence of an error signal in said note dispensing system during a preceding dispensing cycle in response to a note dispensing request, upon sensing the presence of a system error signal disabling said access means to prevent actuation thereof, whereby said operator is denied access to said chamber;
discharging said note from said chamber after said access means is disabled, sensing for the presence of a note in said chamber; and providing a purge complete indication to condition said system for further dispensing operations is said sensing step does not indicate the presence of a note in said chamber.

21. A note dispensing system comprising, in combination:
means for requesting a note dispensing operation;
a dispensing chamber having an access door by which an operator can gain access to said chamber;
means for dispensing at least one note into said chamber in response to a dispensing operation request;
security means for locking said access door during a note dispensing operation and for unlocking said door upon completion of said operation to permit said operator to open said door to remove said note; and purge means for discharging said dispensed note from said chamber if said door is not opened within a set period of time following the unlocking of said door by said security means, said purge means comprising:
a tiltable plate positioned to receive said note when it is dispensed into said chamber and means for tilting said plate to allow gravity to discharge said note from said chamber if said door is not opened within said set period of time.

22. The system set forth in claim 4 further comprising a purge bin for collecting notes discharged from said chamber by said purge means.

23. A note dispensing system comprising, in combination:
request means for requesting a note dispensing operation;
a dispensing chamber;
means for dispensing at least one note into said chamber in response to a dispensing operation request;
operator-actuatable access means conditioned in response to completion of said dispensing operation for permitting an operator to gain access to said chamber to remove said note;
a tiltable platform included in said chamber for receiving said note after said dispensing operation; and purge means for tilting said platform to discharge said note from said chamber if said operator does not actuate said access means within a set period of time after the latter has been conditioned for operation.

24. The system set forth in claim 23 wherein said means for requesting comprises an operator panel having means for enabling said operator to generate said dispensing operation request and wherein said dispensing chamber is located proximate to said panel.

25. The system set forth in claim 23 further comprising a purge bin for collecting notes discharged from said dispensing means by said purge means.

26. The system set forth in claim 23 further comprising means operable, if said access means is actuated within said set period of time, for deconditioning said access means after said note has been removed from said chamber.

27. A note dispensing system comprising, in combination:
request means for requesting a note dispensing operation;
a dispensing chamber;
means for dispensing at least one note into said chamber in response to a dispensing operation request;
operator-actuatable access means for permitting an operator to gain access to said chamber to remove said note;
purge means including a platform provided in said chamber for receiving said note after said dispensing operation, note sensing means for sensing the presence of a note on said platform, and control means responsive to said note sensing means for discharging said dispensed note from said chamber if said note sensing means continues to sense the presence of said note on said platform for a predetermined period of time following actuation of said access means; and said control means includes means for tilting said platform in response to said continued sensing of said note to allow gravity to discharge said note from said chamber.

28. The system set forth in claim 27 further comprising a purge bin for collecting notes discharged from said chamber by said purge means.

29. A note dispensing system comprising, in combination:
request means for requesting a note dispensing operation;
a dispensing chamber;
means for dispensing at least one note into said chamber in response to a dispensing operation request;
access means conditioned in response to completion of said dispensing operation, said access means being constructed and arranged for permitting an operator to gain access to said chamber to remove said note;
a tiltable platform included in said chamber for receiving said note after said dispensing operation; and purge means for tilting said platform to discharge said note from said chamber if said operator fails to remove said note from said chamber after access thereto has been permitted.

30. The system set forth in claim 29 wherein said means for requesting comprises an operator panel having means for enabling said operator to generate said dispensing operation request and wherein said dispensing chamber is located proximate to said panel.

31. A purge control for a note dispensing system comprising, in combination:
a dispensing chamber including an access door accessible to an operator;
means for dispensing at least one note into said chamber;
a tiltable platform positioned within said chamber for receiving notes dispensed into said chamber; and means for tilting said platform to discharge a dispensed note from said chamber to prevent an operator from gaining access to an incorrect number of notes in said chamber.

32. A purge control for an item dispensing system comprising, in combination:
a dispensing chamber including an access door accessible to an operator;
means for dispensing at least one item into said chamber;
a tiltable platform positioned within said chamber for receiving items dispensed into said chamber; and means for tilting said platform to discharge a dispensed item from said chamber to prevent an operator from gaining access to an incorrect number of items in said chamber.

33. Purge control apparatus for a note dispensing system including means for dispensing a note into a dispensing chamber and operator-actuatable access means for permitting an operator to gain access to said chamber to remove said note, said apparatus comprising, in combination:
means for disabling said access means to prevent actuation thereof, whereby said operator is denied access to said chamber;
means for discharging said note from said chamber after said access means is disabled, said discharging means comprising a tiltable plate within said chamber for receiving a dispensed note and means for tilting said plate to allow gravity to discharge said note from said chamber;
note sensing means for sensing the presence of a note in said chamber;
control means responsive to said note sensing means after the operation of said discharging means to provide a purge complete indication if said note sensing means does not indicate the presence of a note in said chamber;
timing means responsive to said note sensing means for generating a timeout signal if said note sensing means indicates the presence of a note in said chamber for a duration exceeding a predetermined period of time following the actuation of said discharging means; and means for inhibiting further operation of said dispensing means in response to said timeout signal.

34. A note dispensing system comprising, in combination:
request means for allowing an operator to request a note dispensing operation;
a dispensing chamber located adjacent said request means;
means for dispensing at least one note into said chamber in response to a dispensing operation request;

operator-actuatable access means for permitting an operator to gain access to said chamber to remove said note; and purge means including a platform provided in said chamber for receiving said note after said dispensing operation, access sensing means for sensing the actuation of said access means, note sensing means for sensing the presence of a note on said platform, and control means responsive to said note sensing means and said access sensing means for discharging said dispensed note from said chamber if said access means is first actuated and then deactuated and thereafter said note sensing means continues to indicate that said note is still on said platform at the end of a predetermined period of time following the actuation of said access means, said control means includes means for tilting said platform in response to said continued sensing of said note to allow gravity to discharge said note from said chamber.

35. The system set forth in claim 34 further comprising a purge bin for collecting notes discharged from said chamber by said purge means.