CA2045135C

CA2045135C - Sheet handling apparatus

Info

Publication number: CA2045135C
Application number: CA002045135A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Harry T. Graef; Damon J. Blackford; Timothy R. Crews
Original assignee: Diebold Inc
Current assignee: Diebold Nixdorf Inc
Priority date: 1989-12-04
Filing date: 1990-11-30
Publication date: 2000-04-25
Anticipated expiration: 2010-11-30
Also published as: AU7036091A; EP0456814A4; AU625408B2; WO1991008160A1; JP3229316B2; EP0456814A1; JPH04503882A; DE69026604D1; KR920701026A; ES2089183T3; ATE136867T1; EP0456814B1; DE69026604T2; CA2045135A1

Abstract

A device (10) for dispensing sheet media comprising a storage location (34) for storing sheet media to be dispensed; a receiving location (32) accessible to a patron from which the sheet media may be received; a receptacle (122) for retaining sheets of the media; a stacking assembly; (200) for stacking individual sheets of the sheet media into a stack; a transport assembly (80), (180) for transporting individual sheets from the storage location (34) to the stacking assembly (200) and for transporting sheets of the media from the receiving location (32) to the receptacle (122); a transfer assembly (400) for transferring a stack of sheets from the stacking assembly (200) to the receiving location (32); and, a divert assembly (300) associated with the transport assembly operable to cause sheets transported from the storage location (34) to the stacking assembly (200) to be diverted to the receptacle (122).

Description

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Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to handling and transport apparatus and more particularly to mechanisms for handling and feeding sheet media. The present invention is particularly applicable to a device for transporting sheet media such as currency, tickets, cons and the like, in an Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) and will be described with particular reference thereto, although the present invention may find advantageous application in other apparatus utilizing sheet feeding and handling mechanisms.
Background of the Invention The present invention relates generally to a sheet media handling and dispensing device for use in ah Automatic Teller Machine (ATM), which device is capable of handling individual sheet media, such as currency, coupons, tickets and the like, as well as feeding a stack of such sheet media to a dispensing location.
Sheet media transfer devices known heretofore, particularly currency transfer devices, have generally utilized roller systans or belt systems for driving and feeding the sheet media (currency) within the device. Roller transfer systems are typically comprised of cooperating pairs of opposed rollers wherein each opposed roller is rotated yn ~
opposite direction to drive the sheet media therebetween. Such pairs of rollers are generally disposed side-by-side, as well as in succession to form a path along which the individual sheet media is to be i~. '.? ~ Y~ '~~ 2 fed. Belt ,systems operate in a similar fashion ~y driving the sheet media between facing surfaces of opposed belts. Both types of systems thus operate by frictionally gripping and driving the sheet media. Such systems typically require precise alignment between successive pairs of rollers or belts to ensure proper operation of the device. In addition, such systems require precise timing between each roller or belt in the system. In this respect, if a particular roller or belt is moving too slowly in relation to a successive roller or belt, the sheet media may tear as the successive roller or belt accelerates the leading edge of the sheet. If the roller or belt is moving too quickly in relation to the next roller or belt, the deceleration of the leading edge may cause the sheet to buckle and replicate itself which may jam the system. Acconlingly, rollers and belts in systems known heretofore are typically interconnected by timing chain or belts and are generally driven by a single large motor which generally has a high pacer consumption.
Because of the intricacies of such systems, together with the high-speed at which such devices normally operate, even slight misalignment or force imbalances can cause excessive wear among the ~ponents, and more importantly can create docianent jammings in the transport assemblies.
Mor~ewer, the intricacies and precise alignment found in these systems also makes avows to and removal of jammed sheets difficult.
The present irnrention overcc~nes . these and other problans by providing a sheet media dispensing device which is less ~licated than currency feeding and handling syst~ known heretofore. The present ittvention provides a sheet media dispensing device which utilizes a w~
e~~ ~.3 plurality of moving belts in operative relationship to a stationary surface to transport sheet material along a path defined by the stationary surface.
S~um~ary of Invention In acco~iance with the present invention there is provided a device for handling and feeding sheet media comprising surface means including at least two spaced-apart, side-by-side, parallel elongated surfaces, said elongated surfaces lying in a coimnon plane and defining a path along which the sheets are to be driven. At least three spaced-apart side-by-side, endless drive belts, each having an outer frictional surface extending along the surface means are provided wherein a portion of the belts and the outer frictional surfaces thereof are disposed facing and generally parallel to the surface means, the portions of the drive belts facing the surface means being parallel to and juxtaposed with the elongated surfaces to define an undulating passage therebetween, which passage confines the sheets between the frictional surface of the drive belts and the elongated surfaces. Belt drive means are provided for simultaneously driving the belts such that the sheets confined between the elongated surface and frictional. surface of the moving belts are driven along the elongated surfaces by the moving belts.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided a sheet handling and feeding device, as defined above, further o~rising a first location for receiving individual media sheets from a storage location, a second location for presenting the media as a single sheet or a stack of sheets, a third location for storing predetezmined ones of the sheets in the first location, stacking means for stackux~
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individual sheets into a stack of sheets, transport means for feeding individual sheets from the first location to the means for stacking or from the second location to the thixd location, transfer means for transferring a stack of sheets frrrm the means for stacking to the second location, sensing means for sensing the predetermined ones of the sheets from the storage location, and divert means responsive to the sensing means for diverting the predetermined ones of the sheets from the stacking means to the third location.
A primary object of the present invention is to provide a sheet l0 media handling and feeding device which is less ~licated and less intricate than existing machines.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a device as defined above having a media transfer assembly wherein the timing and operational speeds of the media transfer assembly are not critical and wherein the media transfer assembly is less susceptible to wear.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a device as defined above which is less susceptible to jamming, Another object of the present invention is to provide a device as defined above wherein the operative components of the transfer mechanism have no surface-to-surface emgage~nent and the sheet media is directed along paths without physical guides.
A further object of the present irnrention is to provide a device as defined above wherein the operative transfer mechanism is c~anprised of ~in9 belts disposed in relation to stationary surfaces.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a device as WO 91/08160 ~ ~ r. d J ~. PCT/US90/07017 defined above for feeding and handling sheet media in an Automatic Teller Machine (ATM).
A further object of the present invention is to provide a device as defined above which includes means for stacking individual bills or 5 currency in an ATM into a stack and presenting such stack at a predetermined location in the device.
A further object of the present irnrention is to provide a device as defined above for use in an ATM which device is capable of handling sheet media of various sizes at the same time.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a device as defined above which includes means for sensing certain bills and diverting such bills to a storage location.
Ihese and other objects and advantages of the invention will bec~ne apparent from the following description of an embodiment thereof taken together with the accompanying drawings, Description of the Drawirxrs The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement of parts, preferred embodiments of which will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective schematic representation of an Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) according to the present invention illustrating several major ~onents thereof in phantom;
FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of a sheet media dispensing W0.~9 0 NOi ~~:~ ~~

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mechanism illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
BIG. 3 is a top plan view of the sheet media dispensing mechanism shown in FIG. 2, taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is an end elevational view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4 showing a media canister and a feed module accon~iing to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG.
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1o FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 3;
FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 3;
FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 3;
FIG. 1o is a sectional view taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 3;
FIG. 11 is a sectional view~taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 3;
FIG. 12A is an enlaced sectional view taken along line 12a-12a of FIG. 3 showing a note being transferred from a vertical tzansport to a horizontal transport; .
FIG. 12B is an enlarged sectional view showing an individual note ~g~l ~eyor belts of the horizontal transport;
FIG. 13A is a sectional view taken along line 13-13 of FIG. 3 showing a control wheel according to a preferred E?nbodiment of the present invention, wherein the control wheel is in a first position and a stacking plate (shown in phantom) is in a stacking position and a divert plate in a normal position:
FIG. 13B is a sectional view of the control wheel shown in FIG. 13A

WO 9i/08160 PCf/US90/07017 ~~~1 ~ ~ ~ j showing tha control wheel in a second position wherein the stacking plate in a stacking position and the divert plate is in a currency diverting position;
FIG. 13C is a view of the control wheel shown in FIG. 13A showing the control wheel in a third position wherein the stacking plate is in a currency tzansfer position;
FIG. 13D is a view of the control wheel shown in FIG. 13A showing the control wheel in a fourth position wherein a gate controller arm is being activated;
FIGS. 14A-14D are a representative view of the media dispensing rnerhanism according to the present invention at various stages of operation;
FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of a media dispensing mechanism illustrating an alternate embodiment of the present invention;
FIGS. 16A & 16B are sectional views taken along limes 16A-16A and lines 16B-16B of FIG. 2 illustrating a switch arrangement used to identify parameters of the media contained in media canisters; and, FIG. 17 is a block diagratmnatic representation of the internal electronic control system for the embodiment shown.
Detailed Description of Preferred FSnbodament Referring naa to the drawings wherein the showing is for the purpose of illustrating preferred embodiments of the invention only and not for the purpose of limiting same, the drawings illustrate a card operated Automatic Teller Mac~iine (ATM) 10 accozding to the present invention for y ~~.,~ ~:Z~ , ;:

dispensing sheet media such as currency, traveller's checks, tickets, ernzpons, and the like. Hereinafter, for purposes of clarity and convenience, such sheet media, i.e. currency, traveller's checks, etc., shall be referred to as "notes" or "a note", it being understood that the present invention find advantageous application to the identified sheet media and others. Machine l0 is intended to dispense notes upon request to individuals meeting predetermined criteria. Machine 10, which is schematically represented in FIG. 1, includes a cabinet or housing 12 which encloses an AZM processor 14, a media dispensing mechanism 16, hereinafter referred to as a "media dispenser 16", and dispenser processor 18 for controlling the operation of media dispenser 16.
AZM processor 14 basically controls the personal aspects of the dispensing routine (i.e. the financial recon~i keeping aspects and customer interface) of AZM 10. Zb facilitate these functions, associated with AZi~i processor 14 are a video monitor 20 having a screen 22 exposed to the exterior of housing 12, a keypad 24 including a plurality of operational keys 26 for use by a customer for entering information to processor 14, and a card reader 28 for reading information from conventionally-knoum cards having identification data encoded thereon. A caxd is inserted into card reader 28 thrrnigh a cans slot 30 provided in housing 12. A ~-ency dispensing opening 32 is provided in housing 12 for dispensing currency to users of AZM 10.
Referring now to FIGS. 2-8, in the embodiment shaven, media dispenser 16 is generally cxmg~rised of the three separate modules, namely a bottan module hereinafter referred to as a "feed module" and designated WO 91/08160 ~ ,y PCT/US90/07017 '' -. J

"34" in the drawings, an intermediate module hereinafter referred to as a "stacking module" and designated "36" in the drawings, and a top module referred to as a "transport module" and designated "38" in the dxawings.
Feed module 34, best seen in FIG. 5, is generally a storage location for the media to be dispensed by the AZM 10 and is comprised of a housing 40 having side walls 42, 44. A pair of vertically-aligned panels 46, 48 form the front end of housing 40. Panels 46, 48 include outwardly facing, generally planar surfaces 46a, 48a which are aligned and co-planar to each other. The back of housing 40 is open to receive conventionally-known money canisters 50 on shelves 52. Canisters 50 in and of.thersnselves form no part of the present invention and therefore shall not be described in greater detail. Canisters 50 are basically rectangular boxes which hold a stack of sheet media, i.e. notes N. The stack is biased by a push plate 54 and biasing means 56 toward an opening 58 at one end of canister 50. A
picker assembly 60 is provided adjacent opening 58 of each canister 50 to re~nave ("pick") individual notes N frrom canisters 50. Picker assembly 60 is cxm~rised of a cylindrical roller 62 which is rotatable about a shaft 64. Roller 62 includes a raised pad 62a which is operable to engage and remove ("pick") the exposed note N in opening 58 of the canister 50, ...one hate N being "picked" during each single revolution of roller 62. In the embodiment shown, each roller 62 is prefexably driven by a separate, independently operated motor, designated 72a, 72b and schematically illustrated in the drawings. Motors 72a, 72b are preferably stepping motors and include sensing means (not shown) for monitoring each revolution of the roller 62, as well as the position of raised pad 62a relative to WO 91/08160 PCf/US90/07017 c~ ~ '~ r-; ~. r; v 10 Ef ,:
opening 58. Belay each roller 62 an arcuate wall 74 is provided. A slot or opening 76 is defined between the end of arcuate wall 74 and the lower end of each panel 46, 48. To identify the particular canister 50 inserted into feed module 34 and particulars of the sheet media therein, a keyboard 66 having a plurality of switches 67 arranged in rows thereon is mounted in module 34 and connected to dispenser processor 18. K
eyboard 66, illustrated in FIG. 16A, is positioned to be aligned with corresponding r«ws of r~novable actuating pins 68 provided on the end of canister 50 above opening 58, illustrated in FIG. 16B. By inserting actuating pins 68 ' at specific locations on canister 50, when inserting canister 50 into feed module 34 against keyboard 66 only corresponding switches 67 are actuated.
Using such an arrar~ge~nent, the specific canister inserted in feed module 34 can be identified, together with other parameters such as the particular type of note N contained in canister 50, the height of the note and the note's thiclmess.
According to one aspect of the present invention, a vertical currency transport 80 for conveying individual notes picked from canisters 50 to stacking module 36 is provided. Vertical transport 80 is basically oo~rised of a plurality of endless belts in operative relationship with stationary surfaces. More specifically, in the ~nbodiment shown, three (3) identical, endless, side-by-side and parallel belts 82 are mounted on rollers 84. Rollers 84 are fixedly mounted to shafts 86, 88 and include annular grooves 84a to receive ribs 82a on belts 82, as best seen in FIG.
6. Shafts 86, 88 are positioned in housing 40 such that belts 82 define twd parallel belt flights 90a and 90b wherein flight 90b is adjacent to and t I':: . ..: ~ .. : .. . . , ...
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a predetermined distance from surfaces 46a, 48a, of panels 46, 48. In this respect, each belt 82 has an outer frictional surface which faces surfaces 46a, 48a along flight 90b. As best illustrated in FIG. 6, surfaces 46a (not shc~m) and 48a each include a pair of side-by-side parallel rails 92 which project therefrom. Rails 92 are juxtaposed relative to the belts 82 such that a rail 92 is disposed between each adjacent belt 82. In the embodiment shown, rails 92 are integrally formed in panels 46a, 48a, but as will be seen below, rails 92 may be separate components attached to planar surfaces. An ur~tulated or corrugated passage 94 is formed bevween the belts 82 and rails 92, as will be discussed in greater' detail below.
Belts 82 and rails 92 have a predetermined dimension and are spaced apart a predetermined distance such that a note N is confined between belts 82 and rails 92 will be driven along rails 92 in the direction belts 82 are moving. Accordingly, rails 92 and surfaces 46a, 48a are preferably smooth to enable notes N to move therealong. Shaft 86 is preferably driven by a conventionally-lmo~m brush motor 96, which is schematically illustrated in the drawings, having conventionally-)mown speed sensing means (not shown) associated therewith.
Referririg now to FIGS . 2-4 and 7-12 , stacJcing module 36 is generally comprised of a rectangular housing 100 formed by two side walls 104, 106, a bottom wall 108, and a plurality of transverse walls 110, 112, 114, and 116 as best seen in FIG. 7. Transverse walls 110, 112, 114, and 116 define three compartments or chambers 118, 120, 122 within housing 100 wherein oon~artrner~-s 120, 122 are open on the top. The upper ends of side walls 104, 106 include outwa~3.7.y extending flanges 105, 107 respectively, best seen ixi FIG. 11. Transverse walls 110, 112 define outward facing planar surfaces 110a, 112a respectively. In the embodiment shown, stacking module 36 includes a vertical transport 130 along one end wall of the housing 100. Vertical transport 130 is basically similar to the vertical transport 80 on feed module 34 and is dimensioned to be aligned therewith.
In this respect, vertical transport 130 includes three (3) generally identical side-by-side and parallel belts 132 which are mounted on rollers 134 on shafts 136 and 138. As best seen in FIG. 7, shafts 136, 138 are spaced apart vertically and positioned to define parallel belt flights 140a, 140b wherein belt flight 140b is disposed adjacent and parallel to surface 110a of transverse wall 110. Belts 132 include outer frictional surfaces which face planar surface ll0a along flight 140b. Ztao generally Irshaped rails 142 (best seen in FIG. 12A and 12B) are pr<rrided for mcxmting on stacking module housing 100. Rails 142 include leg portions 142a, 142b which are mounted on transverse wall sections 110, 112 respectively. Ieg portion 142a is generally lower (flatter) than leg portion 142b, and includes a laterally and longitudinal tapered ridge 142c.
Leg portion 142b, in addition to being higher, has a more rectangular cross-section. ~ Rails 142 are mounted to housing 100 so that leg portions 142a are parallel to and juxtaposed with belts 132 such that a leg portion 142a of rail 142 is disposed between each belt 132. In this respect, like vertical tzansport 80, an undulated or corrugated passage is formed between the belts 132 and the rails 142. In the embodiment shown, shaft 136 is driven simultaneously with shaft 86 of vertical transport 80 (by means not .
shown) by motor 96. Associated with each belt 132 is a pinch roller 146 e' ; .: : .. . , :.: , ;

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ri mounted to transverse wall 110 as best seen in FIGS. 12A and 12B. Pinch rollers 146 are dimensioned to be biased into engagement with belts 132.
Referring now to FIG. 7, transport module 38 is generally comprised of shallow frame 150 having parallel side walls 152, 154. The upper edges of side walls 152, 154 include ir~rardly extending flanges 156, 158 (best seen in FIG. 9) which extends along the length thereof. Frame 150 includes bottom walls 162, 164 at the distal ends thereof and an open space defined therebetween. Bottom wall 162 includes an upward facing, generally planar surface 162a. Frame 150 is mounted on housing 100 wherein bottom wall 164 of frame 150 is above chamber 122 of housing 100. Bottom wall 162 of frame 150 extends beyond housing 100 with the opening between bottom walls 162, 164 being disposed over transverse wall 112, chamber 120, and a portion of chamber 122. Side walls 152, 154 each include a shallow notched-out area which defines a horizontal slot 165 (best seen in FIG. 2) between the lower edges thereof and flanges 105, 107 of housing 100. The upper surface 162a of bottom wall 162 is generally aligned and co-planar with surface 112a of transverse wall 112 of housing 100. Bottom wall 162 is dimensioned such that a gap or space 166 (best seen in FIG. 8) is_ defined between the end thereof and transverse wall 112. A plate 168 having a dispensing slot 170 is mounted at the dispensing end of frame 150. Slot 170 is dimensioned to correspond to slot 32 in housing 12. Plate 168 is mwnted to an angle-shaped m~ber 169 which in turn is mounted to side walls 152, 154 of frame 150 wherein a space is defined between plate 168 and the ends of side walls 152, 154.
Transport module 38 includes a horizontal transport 180 for moving t ''~°~ f~ ;~ .~ ~J ~

the sheet media along a generally horizontal path or plane P. In this respect, horizontal transport 180 is similar to the vertical transport 80 of feed module 34 and transport 130 of stacking module 36, in that it is basically cx~mprised of a plurality of endless belts in operative relationship with a stationary surface having elevated rails thereon. More specifically, horizontal transport 180 includes three (3) generally identical side-by-side parallel belts 182 which are mounted on rollers 184 on shaft 186, 188. As best seen in FIG. 7, the shafts 186, 188 are spaced apart to define generally straight, horizontal belt flights 190a, 190b.
Belts 182 include outer frictional surfaces which face suxfaces 112a and 162a: Shafts 186, 188 are mounted in side walls 152, 154 such that belt flights 190b of belts 182 are generally disposed parallel to and a predetermined distance from surfaces 162a and 112a. More particularly, shaft 186 is mounted in inclined, elongated slots 187 in side walls 152, 154. As seen in the drawings, belts 182 also extend the entire length of transport module frame 150, and over chambers 120, 122 of stacking module 36. As best seen in FIG. 3, belts 182 are juxtaposed with respect to leg portions 142b of Irshaped me7nber 142, wherein a leg portion 142b is disposed between each belt 182. Supplemental rails 192 are provided on wall 112 as best seen in FIG. 3. Supplemental rails 192 are dimensioned to corresporrl to lei portions 142b of Irshaped rails 142. Bottom wall 162 of frame 150 includes two (2) side-by-side rails 194 which are aligned with leg portions 142b and dimensioned to correspond therewith. ?~ortantly, the upper surfaces of rails 142b, 192, and 194 are generally aligned and lie in a ~n plane which defines path p. In other wards, the upper ~,' ,,.
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surface of rails 142b, 192, and 194 define the work path P along which the notes to be dispensed are conveyed. As with vertical transports 80, 130, an undulated passage is defined between belts 182 and rails 142b, 192, and 194. Belts 182 are preferably driven by a conventionally-known brush motor 5 196, which is schematically illustrated in the drawings, having conventionally-known speed sensing means (not shown) associated therewith.
In this respect, in the embodiment sham, horizontal transport 180 is driven independently of vertical transports 80 and 130. If desired, however, horizontal transport 180 may be simultaneously driven with 10 vertical tLansports 80, 130 by a single motor, by means within the puzview of those skilled in the art, without detzacting from the present invention.
In addition to being in alignment with surfaces 112a, 162a, horizontal transport 180 is disposed to be in operative relationship with a stacking assanbly 200 for stacking the sheet media, a divert assembly 300 15 for diverting notes or dumping a stack of notes to a "divert/du~
location", a push plate assembly 400 for transferring a stack of media toward dispensing slot 170, a gate assembly 500 for controlling access to . ..
slot 170, and a control assembly o00 for coordinating the actions of stacking assembly 200, divert assembly 300, and gate assembly 500.
Stackirx,~Assembly 200 According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, -stacking mechanism 200 includes a stack plate 210 best seen in FIG. 7.
Stack plate 210 is generally comprised of a platform 214 having a planar upper surface 214a and a plurality of side-by-side, parallel rails WO 91/08160 r "~ ~ PCT/US90/07017 v extending thereacross. In the ~nbodiment shown, stack plate 210 includes four (4) side-by-side, parallel -rails 216. Rails 216 are basically di»nsioned to correspond in cross-section to rails 142b, 192, 194, and to extend in alignment therewith. The ends of rails 216 are angled to correspond and to align with the angled ends of rails 142b, 192, as best seen in FIG. 3. Stack plate 210 is generally disposed within chamber 120 of stacking module 36. Slots are provided in walls 112, 114 to a~amnodate the ends of rails 216 to the extent they extend beyond chamber 120.
Elongated slots 218 extend through platform 214 and rails 216. Slots 218 are d~~~~ioned to receive vertical tines ~ 220 on a media stap 222. Stop 222 is operable to be repositioned along a guide 224. Stack plate 210 is mounted on a pair of elongated arms 226 which attach to the sides of stack plate 210. Arms 226 extend toward the rear of the housing 100 along the exterior sides thereof and are mounted for pivotal movement on pivot pins 228 (shown in FIG. 2). In this respect, stack plate 210 is pivotally movable with the arms 226 about the pins 228 between a stacking position (best seen in FTG. 7) wherein stacking plate 210 is positioned away from belts 182 and second position wherein rails 216 of stack plate 210 are aligned with rails 142b, 192, 194 and in operative relationship with belts 182. In this position, the upper surfaces of rail 216 are generally co-planar to plane P defined by the upper surfaces of rails 142, 192, and 194.
the azm 226 adjacent wall 106 of stacking module 36 includes a laterally extend.irrg cam follower 234 (best illustrated in FIGS. 13A-13D) in the form of a roller pin for operative engagement with control assembly 600 which will be described in greater detail below.

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Stacking assembly 200 also includes a mechanism for aligning notes during stacking. In the embodiment shown, the stacking assembly 200 includes three (3) paddle wheels 230 (best seen in FIG. 7) which are operative to align the individual notes against wall 114 of housing 100.
Each paddle wheel 230 is generally comprised of a central hub 230a having a bore therethmugh. Paddle wheels 230 are mounted on an shaft 232 which extends thrrnigh chamber 118 of housing 100. A plurality of thin, narrow, radially-spaced belts 230b extend autwarc7ly from hub 230a to form a paddle wheel configuration as best seen in FIG. 7. Wheels 230 are preferably formed from a neoprene material or other similar material which is pliable and which has a "spongy" or adhering outer surface to adhere or grip sheet material. As seen in FTG. 10, paddle wheels 230 are spaced apart along shaft 232 such that paddle wheels 230 are disposed between belts 182 and rail 142b, 192 on wall 112. Slots are provided in walls 112, 114 to enable the radial ends 230b of the paddle wheel to extend beyond walls 112, 114 during the rotation of the paddle wheels 230. Paddle wheels 230 are driven by motor 196 via shaft 232. As indicated above, motor 196 also drives belts 182 of horizontal transport 180.
Divert Assembly 300 According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a divert assenbly 300 to divert individual notes or dump groups of notes from stacking assembly 200 to a designated "divert/dump location".
The divert assanbly 300 is primarily intended to "divert" double bills .
(i.e. bills which are stuck together) and prevent such bills from being ; , r WO 91/08160 . PCT/US90/07017 ~ j \~
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v la issued to a customer. In addition, according to the present invention, divert assembly 300 is also used in conjunction with the transfer assembly to "dump" to the designated divert/dump location notes which have been presented to a customer, but which have not been taken by the customer from presenter slot 170.
Divert assembly 300 (bA..st seen in FIGS . 2 , 3 , and 7 ) is generally comprised of a divert plate 310 which is slidably mounted for reciprocal mov~nent on flanges 105, 107 of housing 100. Divert plate 310 is generally flat and includes an upper planar surface 310a. Divert plate 310 is dimensioned such that surface 310a is generally aligned and co-planar with surfaces 112a, 162a. Divert plate 310 includes four (4) side-by-side parallel rails 312 extending across surface 310a. Rails 312 are dimensioned to correspond to and be aligned with rails 216 on stack plate .
210, rails 142b, 192 on surface 112, and rails 194 on surface 162a. In this respect,, the upper surfaces of rails 312 are co-planar to path p defined by rails 142b, 192 , 194, and 216. As shown in the drawings, the ends of rails 312 are angled along the longitudinal axis thereof to confozm to and mate with ends of rails 216 on the stack plate 210.
Divert plate 310 is dimensioned to extend through horizontal slots 165 and rest on flanges 105 , 107 of housing 100, as best seen in FIG. 11.
One side of divert plate 310 includes a guide 314 (best seen in FIG, il) which is dime~~sioned to receive the lower edge of side wall 154 and is operable to maintain divert plate 310 i.n alignment with frame 150. In this respect, the divert plate is movable between a first position wherein the diveLt plate 310 is positioned cyver chamber 122 at one end of the stack 19 ~~~~ ~,3 ) z~3 plate 210 (as best seen in FIG. 7) to a second position wherein divert plate 310 is positioned above or over chamber 120 and stack plate 210. To permit divert plate 310 to move aver tines 220 of media stop 222, stack plate 310 includes elongated grooves 316 formed below rails 242. A
vertically oriented, generally rectangular plate 318 is attached to one side of divert plate 310. Plate 318 includes a vertically aligned slot 320 (best seen in FIG. 2) which is dimensioned to operatively engage a control pin on control mechanism 600 as will be discussed in greater detail below.
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Push plate assembly 400 is generally cx~mprised of a push plate 410 and means for reciprocally moving push plate 410 the length of transport module 38. Push plate 410 is generally comprised of a rectangular platform 412 which extends between side walls 152, 154 of transport module 38. As best seen in FIG. 3, one end of 412 includes extensions 414 and the other end includes vertically spaced tabs 416. F~ctensions 414 define generally Irshaped recesses 422 dimensioned to receive flange 156 and side wall 152, while vertically spaced tabs 416 define a slot 424 to receive flange 158 of side wall 154, as best seen in FIG. 11. Recess 422 and slot 424 are dimensioned to enable platform 412 to slide freely on flanges 156, 158, with extensions 414 maintaining the lateral position of platform 412. A
plate 426 e~ctends daanward from platform 412. Plate 426 has a planar surface 426a which is generally perpendicular to plane P (i.e. the upper surfaces of rails 142b, 216, 192, 194, etc.). Plate 426 is dimensioned such that its lower edge is immediately above (i.e. not touching), and can a ~.'~ ~,~ v.__), ~,~:9 ~, ;. = - 20 slide freely ovex surfaces 112a, 162a, 214a, and 310a. A plurality of notches 428 are formed in plate 426 to aec~mnodate belts 182 of horizontal transport 180 and the rails on stack plate 210, divert plate 310 and modules 36, 38. A toothed belt 430 is secured to platform 412. Eelt 430 is driven by a motor 432 schematically represented in the drawings. Motor 432 is preferably a ~nventionally-known stepping motor having a speed sensor associated therewith wherein the speed of motor 432 can be controlled and monitored. Motor 432 is mounted to the outer surface of wall 152 (nat sho~rm) of frame 150 and includes a shaft 434 extending through wall 152 having a drive sprocket 436 thereon. An idle sprocket 438 is mounted to wall 152 adjacent dispensing slot 170. Sprockets 436, 438 are positioned such that toothed belt 430 is generally parallel to belts 182.
Gate Assembly 500 Gate assembly 500, best seen in FIGS. 2, 3, 7, 8, and 10, includes a box-like gate 510 having a bottom wall 510a, one end wall 510b which is dimensioned to be received in the space between plate 168 and the ends of side wall 152, 154 of stacking module 38, and tv~ parallel side walls 510c dimensioned to be disposed outside side walls 152, 154 of stacking module 38. Gate 510 is pivotally mwnted to stacking module 38 by pivot pins 512 extending fin side walls 152, 154. The gate side wall 510c adjacent side wall 154 of transport module 38 includes a pin 514 which extends thzmugh a re~ai~ular' opening 516 (shown in pin FIG. 8) into a slot 518 at one end of an elongated link 520. As shown in FIG. 8, link 520 is mounted to f, _= ~
21 ~~'~ ~~~~' 2l side wall 154 by pins 522 extending through slots 524 in link 520, such that link 520 has limited longitudinal movement along wall 154. Link 520 includes two dawnwazr7ly extending fingers 525, 526. Finger 526 is biased ..
by a spring 527 which urges link 520 and gate 510 toward the position shown in FIG. 8 wherein end wall 510b is adjacent to and obstnicts opening 170 in plate 168.
Referring now to the other end of link 520, a laterally projecting arm 528 extends from link 520 through a rectangular opening 530 in side wall 154. Arm 528 is operatively attached to a generally Irshaped actuating member 532, best seen in FIG. 2. Actuating member 532 is mounted to the outer side of side wall 154 by a pin 534 extending through a slot a 536 therein. An outwardly projecting pin 538 (shcnm in phantom in FIG. 2) i is provided at the end of actuating member 532 to operatively engage 'i ,control mechanism 600 as will be discussed in greater detail belaa.
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Control Assemblv 600 '~ To coordinate the movement and operation of stack plate 210, divert plate 310 and gate 510, control assembly 600 is provided. The control assembly 600 is generally comprised of a control wheel 610 which is mounted for rotation about a fixed axis on an axle 612 (best seen in FIG. 11) which is secured to wall i06 of stack module 36. Control wheel 610 includes a cylindrical portion 614 and flange portion 616. As bast seen in FIGS.
13A 13D, cylindrical portion 614 includes an elongated curving slot 618, which opens touraW wall 106 of stacking module 36 and extends around axle 612. Slot 618 is comprised of three distinct portions, namely, a first, 'L'~, t~ ~ ~ ~ L,~ 22 relatively long concentric portion 618a which forms a major portion of slot 618, a shorter second portion 618b which spirals inwart3ly f~, first portion 618a 'toward axle 612 and a still shorter third portion 618c which is concentric about axle 612. slot 618 has a predeterntined configuration which will be more fully understood from the subsequent discussion of the operation of conttrol wheel 610. Slot 618 is dimensioned to received roller pint 234 on arm 226 of stack plate 210 and control pin 538 on actuator mett~ber 532 of gate assembly 500. Control wheel 610 also includes an actuating pin 62o extending irn~y f~ flange portion 616 toward wall 106. Actuating, pin 620 is dimensioned to be received within slot 320 of divert plate 310. Control wheel 610 also includes an irnaardly ~~~g annular wall 622, best seen in FIG. 11. In this respect, wall 622 is y g~lY concentric to the axis of axle 612 and projects toward side wall 106 of stacking a 36. Associated with contirol wheel 610 is a stepping motor 624 schematic designated in the drawings. Motor .624 is preferably Y
positioned within the housing 100 of stacking module 36 with a drive shaft 626 extending tttwall 106. Shaft 626 includes a tooth drive sprocket 628 for driving a tooth belt 630. Belt 630 is operable to drive a toothed s ring 632 (best seen in FIG. 3) which is attached to cylindrical portion 614 of control wheel 610.
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wo 9riosr6o PCT/US90/07017 ~ rv invention, ATM processor 14 is operatively associated with card reader 28, monitor 20, screen 22, and keypad 24. Broadly stated, ATM processor 14 monitors and controls two generally separate aspec'cs or functions of ATM
10, i.e. the personal aspects of a transaction (the financial aspects and the customer interface) and providing operational instructions to dispenser processor 18.
With respect to the former, ATM l0 is typically utilized in a media dispensing activity involving a financial transaction, e.g. dispensing currency or pUrrl~lasing tickets. In this rPSpect, ATM processor 14 is provided to accept information data from a prospective patx~nn_or customer, to ascertain from such data possibly in conjunction with a network cuter and (together with other data about such prospective customer from a record source) whether the prospective patron or customer has a predetermined status necessary to receive notes (typically withdraw currency) from Ate'! 10, to record data regarding a withdrawal of notes or currency and to adjust the record data in response to a withdrawal by a customer. In addition, ATM processor 14 is pr,ogramtned to provide a patron with information regarding features and functions of ATM 10 by means of the video screen 22 and the electronic display 20.
The information data from the patron is generally in the form of a conventionally-known credit card having identification data encoded thereon. The credit card is inserted into card slot 30 to be head by card reader 28 in a conventional manner. The card provides information identifyirxl the folder and provides other information with respect to the prospective patrons financial status, which may be in the form of data , ' ~' ' ~:~ .. ~ , : .' ~ v ' ~

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with respect to financial recorz3 files or financial institutions. Such data, utilized together with data from a record file or an external source, determines whether the prospective patron is authorized to utilize ATM 10.
In this respect, processor 14 may have an internal rn~rd file including the account numbers of all patrons for whom the access machine is allowed, or it may be connectable by a modem 250 (or directly by a dedicated line) to an external record source such as a financial institution or credit '' authorization service in a manner conventionally-known in automatic bank teller machines. With information from the credit card, together with r' 10 information from the internal or external record source, ATi'4 processor can determine whether the identified patzron has the appropriate status to mike a media or currency withdrawal. If authorized, data regarding :a ' parameters of the dispensing (i.e. date, time, amount, etc.) are recon3ed in file storage of ATM processor 14. The financial r~econis of the patron are modified (debited) based on the value of the notes or currency dispensed. With respect to this modification of the financial records, if the r~ecor<is are maintained internally by the machine, such modification can ' be done by ATM processor 14. If the financial records are external of the i machine (at a financial institution or credit authorization service), infornr~tion regarding withdrawal transaction are transferred to such y external zecorzis from AZIrt processor 14. As set forth above, co~mmmications i with the external recorr7s may be aocx~qalished by modem 250, as shown by FIG. 17 or directly by a dedicated line (not shown). With the modem arrangement, information concerning several transactions may be stored in file storage of processor 14 throughout the day and then transferred to the ~~1~.;~~ ,~:

16 includes several other sensors. Referring now to FIG. 5, sensors 710 are disposed belay each picker mechanism 60. Sensors 710 are of a type disclosed in United States Patent No. 4,664,369 (which is by the assignee of the present application) and are operative to sense the thickness of notes being transferred thereover. The teachings of U.S.
T_>atent No. 4,664,369 are hereby incorporated by reference into present , application. Sensors 710 monitor notes picked by mechanisms 60 and to ensure doubles, (i.e. notes which may be stuck together) are not dispensed to a custcaner. A counting sensor 720 is provided in the upper surface of leg portion 142b of Irshaped rail 142 (best seen in FIG. 3) to arunt notes whic2i pass thereaver as they move to stacking assembly 200. A exit sensor 730 is provided in the upper surface of rail 194 to sense the position of a stack of notes being presented to a customer through slot 170. A gate sensor 740 (best seen in FIG. 8) is provided on side wall 154 in operative relation to finger 525 to monitor the positions of gate 510. A control wheel sensor 750 (shown in phantom in FIGS. 13A-13D) is pn7vided to monitor the positions of control wheel 610. Sensor 750 is generally U-shaped and is disposed such that wall 622 is disposed between the legs thereof.
Sensor 750 is operable to sense notches and windows (not shown) formed at predetermined positions in wall 622. The notches and windows con espand specific important operational positions of control wheel 610. The important operational position of vontrnl wheel 610 are illustrated in FIGS. 13A-13B and will be discussed in greater detail below.
In addition to sensors 710, 720, 730, 740, and 750, dispenser processor receives information from keyboard 66. lteyboard 66 provides w0 9t/o8160 PCT/US90/07017 lv:~ y~ ~ -;.~

external r~co~t3s at one time, thereby saving on transmission and hook-up W A~"1 processor 14 may also include printer means (not physically shown) providi~ pa.~ns with a records of all transactions.
Thus, with respect to the financial and customer interface aspeL-is 5 of ~e P~sent invention, ATM processor 14 basically provides a means for identifying patrons, means for crnmminicating with the patrons, means for a patron's financial status, means for monitoring the withdrawal transaction, and means for means for modifying a patron's financial records.
10 Referring now to the operational function of ATM
processor 14, processor 14, based on information fin a customer, basically instructs ~~ex' processor 18 as to the number of notes to be disp~ ~ ~e rnnnber of notes to be dispensed fry ~~ mister (in the event Canister 50 holds different types of notes).
15 Referring now to dispenser p~~r 18, as schematically illustrated in ~G. 17, pz,ocessor 18 basically controls and monitozs the operation of picker mechanic 60, vertical transports 80 ~ 130, horizontal transport 180, stac>ting assembly 200, divert assembly 300, push plate assembly 400, gate assembly 500, and contirol assembly 600.
20 C~~ ~ ~n~lled via picker motors 72a, 72b, vertical transpo~
drive motor 96, horizontal transport drive motor 196, push plate drive motor 432, and contrbl wheel drive motor 624. As indicated at~,e~ hors 72a, 72b, 96, 196, 432, and 624 include sen's~ (not shown) wh~,in processor 18 can monitor the relative position of con~onents ~25 associated th~ith. In addition to these setysing means, media di~~~r ?l information which identifies the particular canistex 50 inserted into multi-media dispenser 16, but more importantly, it also identifies the type of media (notes currency, etc.) within canister 50, the height of the hates, and the thickness of the note contained therein. Information from keyboard 66 is ccmmmnicated by dispenser processor 18 to ATM processor 14.
Transports 80. 130. 180 Referring more specifically to vertical transport 80, 130, and horizontal transport 180, each is basically cx~mprised of a plurality of side-by-side, parallel belts juxtaposed with a plurality of side-by-side l0 parallel rails. The belts and rails are aligned and extend in the same direction. As best illustrated in FIG. 6, the rails are interjacent the belts and spaced a predetermined distance therefrom. The rails basically define elevated surfaces which generally lie in a Gammon plane and define the path along which the notes are conveyed. In each transport, the operative frictional surface of the belts are disposed below the plane ., defined by the elevated rail surface in the space defined therebetween. In this respect, the belts and rails mesh and interact to provide an undulated or corrugated passage therebetween. Specifically, notes disposed between the belts and the rails preferably engage the belts sufficiently to maintain fictional engag~nent therewith and to be motionless relative thereto as the belts move between the rails. In this respect, the elevated surfaces are preferably smooth to allow the hates to freely slide thereover.
As best seen in FIGS. 4-6, the rails of vertical transports 80, 130 are tapered along their longitudinal and lateral edges. The rails of w0 91/08160 PCT/US90/07017 2g horizontal transport 180 (including the rail on stack plate 210 and divert plate 310) while having tapered and angled longitudinal edges are generally rectangular in dross-section (best seen in FIGS. 10 and 11). Moreover, the rails of horizontal transport 180 are slightly higher (elevated) than those on vertical transports g0~ 130. These differences are ~sically due to the function of each transport.
In this respect, vertical transports gp, 130 are provided to transport single notes in a vertical direction, as best illustrated in FIG.
4. For such an operation, it is basically only necessary that successive rails be aligned and that the upper surface of the rails lie in a ~n plw ~ seen in FIG. 4, the configuration of the successive rails, as well as the belts, may vary so long as the rails and belts are aligned and are operable to convey a note. Horizontal transport 180 on the other hand is provided to convey a stack of notes (as well as single notes) in conjunction with push plate 410. In this respect. to close cooperation between push plate 410 and the respective rails, the lateral edges of the rail are squared to match the squared corm of the notches pr~wided izi push plate 410. Moreover, the rails of horizontal transport 18o are higher to enable push plate 410 to extend below the upper surface of the rails a distance sufficient to ensure that no notes will pass or be ~J~ her the bottom edge of push plate 410 during operation.
~COx3ingly, the height and cmss-sectional configuration of the rails in and of themselves are not critical to the present invention. It °~.Y ~.~ortant that the rails and belts be aligned and juxtaposed yn operative relation to another to form an undulated passage therebetween i~ i~

(i.e. the frictional surface of the belts is below the elevated surface of the rails) and are operable to maintain frictional engagement between the belts and the notes to be conveyed. It will also be appreciated that the lateral spacing between adjacent rails and belt may vary depending on the sheet media to be conveyed, and that the number of belts and rails may vary. In each of the transports shown, three belts and two rails are provided. In this respect, it is believed at least two rails are necessary to maintain aligrnnent of the notes. In the embodiment shown, additional rails are shown on stack plate 210 and divert 310. It has been found that additional rails on these members facilitates better stacking by supporting the lateral erxls of the notes and that such support assists in ensuring proper engag~nent between a stack of notes and push plate 410. In the embodiment shown, belts 82, 132 of vertical transports 80, 130 are of an m-reinforced urethane, belts 182 of horizontal transport 18o are formed of nylon reinforced, semi-stretch neoprene.
g~eration Referring now to the operation of ATM 10, media canisters 50 are inserted into m~l.ti-media dispenser 16 as shown in FIG. 5. Pins 68 on 50 are positioned to engage specific switches 67 on keyboard 66.
In the eanbod~ment shown, actuation of the preselected switches 67 identifies to dispenser processor 18: (1) the specific canister 50 (identification code) being inserted into the machined (2) the media (notes) contained within the canister 50; (3) the thickness of the notes;
and, (4) the height of the notes. This information is corrnmmicated to ATM

wo X1/08160 PCT/US90/07017 y,.~, r.i,s~~
Processor .14 by dispenser processor 18. In the e~nbodi~t s~.l~~
~iste~ 50 may be utilized. Importantly, acco~ing to the preset invention each canister 5o may contain a different type-of note. For ale, canisters 50 may contain the same type of icy ~t each 5 canister 50 having a different denomination. In another respe~~ one canister 50 may contain currency of a particular size and thic3mess and the o~~ ~y °°n~~ ~°~ ~v~J a ~letely different size and thickness.
In other woztls, media dispenser 16 is operational with two dissimilar types of hates.
10 The following discussion of the use and operdtian of ATM 10 is upon a dispensing transaction involv ing financial value wherein a patron or customer must meet a predetermined status. It will, of course, i be appreciated that ATM to and media dispenser 18 may be p~ to operate merely upon request by any individual.
15 Use of a A2M 10 is initiated by a ~s;n~"~~ a corwer~tionally-Mown credit ~ ~to ~ slot 30. The cal, which is read by cardreader 28, pn7vides information identifying the cardholder a~ , Prides other inforn~ation with respect to the prospective patron's r fi,~ial status. If the media contained within the ATM l0 has value, A
20 typically an approval of the customer s financial status is required. ATM
processor 14 may have an internal recon~i file including the aft of all patrons for wham access to the machine is allow~ad, or A~i processor Z4 ~y connect via modem 250 or dedicated line (not shown) to an external '~ .
~°~ source such as a financial institution or credit authorization y 25 service to check the status of the ~. In a conventionally-known manner, ATM processor 14 can advise the customer via screen 22 of monitor 20 whether access to the machine is allowed and provide instructions as to procedures for the customer to follow to receive notes from ATM 10. The transaction is conducted by the customer entering pertinent information (in response to prrm~ts by ATM processor 14) using operation keys 26 on keypad 24. When the pertinent inforniation has been entered and processed, processor 14 will instruct dispenser processor 18 as to the rnm~ber of notes to be dispensed from canister 50.
Having received instructions form ATM processor 14 with respect to the rnm~ber of notes to be dispensed, dispenser processor 18 initiates dispensing of the notes in a predetermined sequence.
FIG. 14A shows general positions of the respective components of media dispenser 16 when dispensing of notes is initiated. As indicated above, control wheel 610 ooon9inates the operation of stack plate 210, divert plate 310 and gate 510. In this respect, FIG. 13A shows generally the position of control wheel 610 to locate the operative components, i.e.
stacking plate 210, divert plate 310, push plate 410, and gate 510, to the positions shown in FIG. 14A. FIG. 13A shows control wheel 610 in a first position, wherein pin 234 which is associated with stacking plate 210 and pin 538 which is associated with gate 510 are disposed within slot portion 618a of cam slot 618. Actuating pin 620 is disposed at the bottom of slot 320 of divert plate 310. With control wheel 610 in this position, stack plate 210 is in a first position disposed below and away from belts 182 of horizontal transport 180, divert plate 310 is a position shown in FIG. 14A, and gate 510 is in a normal, closed position. Push plate 410 which is N

independently controlled by dispenser processor 18 via motor 432 is positioned in a rearmost location as shown in FIG. 148. Media stop 222~is preferably fixedly positioned within media dispenser 16 to a position which will ac~c~unodate the largest media expected to be used in media dispenser 16. According to the preferred operation of the present invention, divert plate 310 and push plate 410 are repositioned by dispenser pnxessor 18 prior to dispensing to predetermined positions relative to stack plate 210 as shown in phantom in FIG. 14A. These positions are determir~d by dispenser processor 18 based upon the height of the note to be dispensed, which information was provided by keyboard 66. Push plate 410 is repositioned by dispenser processor 18 by means of motor 432. Divert plate 310 is repositioned by dispenser processor 18 by rotating control wheel 610 by motor 624. Control wheel 610 as viewed in FIG. 13A would be rotated clockwise a predetermined angle from the position shown. The amount of rotation being calculated and monitored by dispenser. processor 18 via infornvation frrnn stepping motor 624 and the positional sensor therewith (nat shown) and sensor 750. The rotation of control wheel 610 causes actuating pin 620 to move along an arcuate path to the right as seen in FIG. 13A, wherein actuating pin 620 moving ~e~i~l slot 320 causes divert plate 310 to move to the right in FIG. 13A (to the left in FIG.
14A).
Dispenser piroc~ssor 18 initiates vertical transport motor 96 and horizontal transport motor 196 such that belts 82 of vertical transport 8p, belts 132 of vertical transport 130 and belts 182 of horizontal transport 180 move in the direction shown in FIG. 14A. Dispenser processor 18 then wo 9 t /08 t 60 PCT/US90/07017 ~~j1 ~~ ~

initiates picker mechanisms 60 in sequence to pick individual notes from canisters 50. If media dispenser 16 contains notes of different sizes, dispenser processor 18 is programmed such that the largest note is dispensed first. In this respect, an individual note is picked by pad 62a of roller 62 which feeds the note toward flight 90b of belts 82 of vertical transport 80. The individual note passes over thic~lmess sensor 710 which scans the thickness to ensure that a single note is being transferred.
Sensor 710 has been programmed by processor 18 to monitor a predetermined thicl~ess. In this respect, the programmed thickness is determined by the information provided to processor 18 and AZM processor 14 by switches 67 on keybbard 66. The individual noteengages flight 90b of belts 82 which bend the note u~rd, the note being trapped in undulated passage 94 between the belts 82 and rails 92. In this respect, the outer frictional surface of the belts 82 force the note along rails 92. The note is driven to vertical transport 130 wherein belts 132 force the hate along Irshaped rails 142 horizontal transport 180. As best seen in FIGS. 12A, 12B, belt 132 forces the note between pinch roller 146 and roller 134. Pinch roller 146 produces a "hard drive" to force the note upwa~ under a positive friction. This "hard drive" forces the leading edge of the hate into flight l9ob of belts 182 of horizontal transport 180, as best seen in FIG. 12B.
The leading edge of the note generally causes flight 190b of belts 182 to deflect upward as belts 182 pull the leading edge of the hate in the direction of the moving belt. The amwnt of deflection depends on the thic>mess and rigidity of the note being transferred. Importantly, this :;~~
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l0 Movement of the flexible belts 230b acmss the upper surface of the note, also ~ draw the note against traverse wall 114 to align the leading edges thereof. In~ortantly, as indicated above, divert plate 310 and push plate 41o are positioned prior to the stacking sequence to generally align with tines 220 of media stop 222 as schematically represented in FTC. 14A. In this zespect, ~a stop 222, divert plate 310, and push plate 410 provide a positive barrier to prevent the notes from being transferred beyond the stacJcing position. Counting sensor 720 on leg portion 142b of Irshaped rail 142 counts the individual notes as they pass ther~eover to insure that the correct rnm~ of notes have been picked by picker assembly 60 and transferred to stab plate 210.
If a second type or dencRnination of note, possibly a smaller note, is to be dispensed, such notes are transfer in a similar manner fnxn their respective canister 50. Importantly, during the stacking of the ~~' notes, divert plate 310 and push plate 410 are repositioned by a;~"~r per 18, i.e. moved horizontally to the left, a ~'v. Tj predetermined amount to provide a barrier for the smaller note. Again, the position of divert plate 310 and push plate 410 is calculated by dispenser processor 18 based upon the information received with respect to the height of the smaller note. The smaller media is then stacked upon the larger 5 media in a manner previously described wherein the edges of bath notes (i.e. the larger and smaller) are aligned by paddle wheels 230 against transverse wall 114.
During the pick_irg of the notes from canisters 50, some notes may have a tendency to stick together wherein double bills may be detected by 10 sensor 710. In such an event, dispenser processor 18 reverses direction of the picker roller 62 in an attempt to separate the double bills. If the double bill cannot be separated by repeated reversing of picker roller 62, media dispenser 16 is operable to divert the double to a "divert/dump location" located in ~arbnent 122 of stacking module 36. To a~lish 15 "dumping" or "diverting" of notes, divert plate 310 is moved to the left to a position above stack plate 210 as schematically illustrated in FIG. 14B.
Mrwement of divert plate 310 is initiated by control wheel 610 as shown in FIG. 13B. In this respect, to move divert plate 310 to the position sc~e~aticallyillustrated in FIG. 14B, control wheel 610 is rotated by 20 motor 624 in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 13B. In this respect, actuating pin 620 mores divert rectangular plate 310 to the right (as seen in FTG. 13B) by moving through slat 320 of plate 318 in a manner as discussed above. The positions of stack plate 210 and gate 510 remain the same as pins 234 and 538 move through slot portion 618c which is generally 25 canoentric about axle 612. The double bills are conveyed by vertical WO 91 /08160 Pt.'T/US90/07017 r~rC~
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transports 80, 130 to horizontal transport 180. Belts 182 drive the "doubles" over rails 312 of divert plate 310 into chamber 122 of stackixx~
module 36. The diverted notes are monitored by dispenser processor 18 and AZM processor 14. A divert/dump canister having a similar keyboard type of arrang~ent may be provided in chamber 122 wherein the specific canister and the amount of currency dumped therein can be monitored. After the double bill has been diverted, control wheel 610 causes divert plate 310 to return to a stacking position generally shown in FIG. 14A, wherein further stacking of notes, monitored by dispenser processor 18, can be conducted until the appropriate rnunber and type of notes are stacked.
Upon ~letion of the stacking of the notes to be dispensed, push plate 410 is moved back to clear stack plate 210 and stack plate 210 is moved from its first stacking position to a second elevated position, as schematically illustrated in FIG. 14C, wherein rails 216 are aligned with rails 142, 192, 194 and in operative engag~nent with belts 182 of horizontal transport 180. Such movement is initiated by dispenser processor 18 which causes control wheel 610 to rotate in a counterclockwise direction to a position as illustrated in FIG. 13C. As shown in FIG. 13C, divert plate 310 has been moved to its rear most position by actuating pin 620 which upon further rotation of control wheel 610 in a counterclockwise position rotates away from slot 320. The counterclockwise rotation of ~1 wheel 610 causes pin 234 on arm 226 to move from its initial position in cam slot portion 618a through cam portion 618b, which urges pin 234 toward axle 612 causing arm 226 to pivot about pin 234 and to bring stack plate 210 into alignment with the operative plane P.
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With stack plate 210 in the position shown in FIG. 14C, push plate 410 is initiated by dispenser processor 18 to drive the stack of net,~s toward gate assembly 500. Simultaneously, belts 182 of horizontal transport are driven such that flight 190b moves toward gate assembly 500.
Accordirx~ to a preferred method of operation of the present invention, if the stack of notes to be Presented are all the same, push plate 410 is driven at a rate faster than belts 182 of horizontal transport 180. If the stack contains notes of two separate sizes, both~sizes being aligned along their leading edges, dispenser' processor 18 preferably causes belts 182 of l0 horizontal transport 180 and push plate 410 to be driven simultanewsly at the same speed such that relative mwe~nents of the smaller notes relative to the larger notes does not oc,.cur.
As the stack of notes is moved toward gate assembly 500, the leading edge of the stack encounters exit sensor 730 on rail 194. Upon exit sensor 730 sensing the leading edge of the stack, dispenser processor 18 causes control wheel 610 to rotate further in a counterclockwise direction to the position shown in FIG. 13D. Such rotation causes pin 538 to move through cam slot portion 618b which forces pin 538 tdwaxd axle 612.
Zhi.s movement forces actuating member 532 to the left as shown in FIG. 13D.
Referring now to FIG. 8, the aforementioned movement of actuating member 532 causes link 520, as shown in FIG. 8, to move to the left. Slot 518 on link 520 causes pin 514 on gate mc~nber 510 to move dto the position shy in ~ FIG. 8 wherein gate 510 is moved down, away from slot 170.
Dispenser processor 18 then causes push Plate 410 to move the stack of ~io~tes a predetermined distance through slot 170 to be accessible to the f~'O 91/08160 ~ ~ '~ ~ .1 ~ (~ PC'T/US90/07017 The "predetermined distance" is based upon the size parameters of the note as indicated by switches 67 on keyboard 66. Slats 187 in side walls 152, 154 enable shaft 186 and belts 182 to move upwax~i to aCC~tGtlpdate large stacks of notes. The customer may then take the ~~ pr~t~
~>rough slot 170 which is generally aligned with dispensing opening 32 in housing 12. When the notes are removed by the customer, exit sensor 730 indicates the absence of the notes. Processor 18 then causes conttrol wheel 610 to return to the position shown in FIG. 13C wherein spring 527 acting on finger 526 (best seen in FIG. 8) forces link 520 to return gate 510 to a closed position. Gate sensor 740 which generally monitors the position of finger 525 on link 520 indicates when gate 510 has ass~m~d a closed position. Push plate 410 then returns to its normal home position.
In the event, that the stack of notes presented is not taken by the customer, dispenser processor 18 causes push plate 410 to move back a predetermined distance aril belts 182 of horizontal transport 180 to reverse direction to move the stack of notes away from gate 510. E3cit sensor 730 '~?;cates when all the notes have been moved away from slot 170. Contivl wheel 610 is then actuated, as discussed above, to close gate 510.
Processor 18 then rotates control wheel 610 to the position shown in FIG.
13B wherein divert plate 310 is positioned over stacking plate 210. Push plate 410 is moved back to a home position, and belts 182 of horizontal transport 180 are actuated to transfer the untaken notes to the ~~divezt/d~a~ location" in chamber 122 of stacking module 36. Information ~ardi.ng the untaken notes is commmicated to A2M processor 14 via d; cpA.,~r pr,~ry~~,r 18. Upon completion of the transaction, AZM pr~~r w0 91/08160 PCT/US90/07017 l ~~'_I3~~~J

14 may provide a customer with a printed stmunary of the transaction via a printer (not shown).
As can be appreciated from the foregoing description, the present invention provides a media handling and feeding device which is relatively simple in design and operation, yet which provides several considerable advantages over media dispensing devices known heretofore. In this respect, as indicated above, prior transfer assemblies generally included moving elements which are in operative engagement with other moving elemenfis, i.e. roller-to-roller or belt to belt. Such interaction inevitably produces wear among such elements, which wear can effect the overall operation of the device. Unlike these prior devices, a transport according to the present invention has no surface-to-surface interaction in that, as indicated above, notes are transported thro~zgh a space defined between moving belts and stationary' rails. Zhus, no surface's interact or rub against each or which can cause wear or create static electricity.
Moreover, such a transport system requires substantially less power than prior belt or roller systems.
More importantly, however, it is the manner in which the notes are transferred. Because of the space between the belts and the rail surfaces, only slight frictional forces are exerted on each note. In other words, a transport according to the present invention produces a relatively laa driving force on the notes. While such force is sufficient to ~nvey notes along the rail surfaces, it is insufficient to pull the notes from c~onents exerting a greater frictional force thereon or to .retard the oration of the note when engaging a component exerting a greater force Y>.,. . . , . T
'~
~;.i" . ~
f/.' r r. i a c~ _ thereon. Fob example, in the embodiment shown, picker ass~nblies 60 are provided to pick individual notes from canisters 50. As indicated, occasionally bills will stick together to produce doubles, in which case the direction of rotation of picker roller 62 is repeatedly reversed in an 5 attest to separate the double bills. During such an operation, a portion of the "double" may be disp~ within vertical transport 30 between belts 82 and rails 92. Aocon3ing to the present invention, the relatively low frictional driving force exerted by belts 82 on the notes are insufficient to pull it from picker assembly 60. In this respect, only when a note or 10 "double" is released by mechanism 60 will belts 82 be able to convey such note or double along rails 92. Important, in this respect, is that. the speed of belt 82 need not be timed to cooperate with roller 62 of picker assembly 60, and is therefore not limited by the speed of picker assembly 60. Csnsequently, belt 82 may move at a much greater speed than picker 15 roller 62. In similar respects, belt 182 of horizontal transport may move at a different speed than belts 82. Aocor<iingly, the present invention provides a means of transporting notes which does not require exact timing between respective cxm~onents.
Still further, the present invention provides a transport wherein 20 the direction of movement of the notes may be charged without the requirement of physical guides which typically are sites where jamming plroblems occur. In this respect, as best seen in FIGS. 12A and 12H, the direction of note N is charred its engag~nent with a moving belt.
No physical or structural guides are required to charge the direction of 25 the note. The driving force of one transport aril the transverse motion of WO 91/08160 PGT/US90/07ot7 J

belts cause the note to charxxe direction in a simple highly-efficient, reliable manner.
Each of these features is basically the result of a unique transport mechanism according to the present invention which enables a note to be transferred without speed synchronization between the respective transports, without physical guides to direct the note from one transport to another, and without the need of surface contacting components.
Importantly, a transport aocozriing to the present invention facilitates simplification of other mechanisms normally associated with media transfer devices. In this respect, a divert ass~nbly according to the present invention provides a sheet media dispensing device wherein individual sheets may be diverted from a stacking mechanism during a stacking operation. Typically, devices kno4m heretofore would be required to "dump"
a partial stack bad bill (e.g. a "double") was intothe if a introdv;.ed systenn. Acoozrlingto the present invention, such couldbe a bill "diverted" from stackirig operation without interferingwiththe the partially Meted stack. This is accomplished using a divert assembly which is also operable to "dump" entire stacks of notes (in the event the stark is not taken by a custcnner). The present invention thus provides a media transport and handling device which is simpler in design and operation and has operational advantages over systems known heretofore.
Although the invention has been described with respect to a preferred embodiment, modifications will occur to others upon their reading and understanding of the specification. For eximple, while the present invention has been described with respect to a stackr~g device and w0 91/08160 PCT/US90/07017 .. y~ y. a~;.P>r~ , mechanism for diverting bills to a "divert/dump location", a media dispensing device can be provided utilizing a transport system as herein described without the additional features. In this respect,.~~, 15 discloses a media dispensing apparatus illustrating an alternate embodiment of the present invention wherein feed module 34 is combined with a transport module 800 having a horizontal transport 805 prised of a plurality of side-by-side parallel endless belts 810 aligned with 7~P~d rails 820. Belts 810 are driven by a reversible orator 830.
Depending on the direction of belts 810, notes may be dispensed from either end of module 800.
It will also be appreciated that the media dispenser shown in FTGS.
1-14 could be easily modified to dispense a stack of notes from the other end of transport module 38 to provide a "front" loading and dispensing device (FIGS. 1-14 show a "rear" loading device). In this respect, one basically need only provide gate assembly 500 on the other end of module 38 ~ pmgram dispenser processor 18 to sequence and position the respective components, primarily push plate 410 to aocanunodate for such a charx~e. In this respect, essentially all the components would function the same, but the back side of push plate 410 would push the stack of notes toward the dispensing opening. Repositioning gate assembly 500 and reprogramming dispenser processor 18 would clearly be within the ability of those skilled in the art upon a reading and understanding of the present , specification. Still further, while media dispenser 16 was described as having two canisters 50, it will be appreciated that a media dispenser may have more or less than two canisters without deviating frrxn the present i i a ..
,~:~" .

invention. These and other modifications will occur to others upon reading and understanding of the specification.' It is intended that all such modifications and alterations be included in so far as they came within the scope of the patent as claimed or the equivalents thereof.
;<

Claims

Claims:

1. A device for handling and feeding sheet media comprising:
a plurality of elongated side-by-side parallel rails defining a linear path along which said sheets are to be driven, each of said rails including an upper surface lying in a common plane extending along said linear path;
at least three spaced-apart side-by-side, endless drive belts having an outer frictional surface, each of said drive belts having a portion thereof extending along said surface means wherein said frictional surfaces are disposed opposing and generally parallel to said surface means, said portions of said drive belts being parallel to and juxtaposed with said elongated rails to define an undulating passage therebetween to confine said sheet between said frictional surfaces of said drive belts and said upper surfaces of said rails;
stacking means comprised of a plurality of elongated side-by-side parallel surfaces lying in a common plane, said stacking means being movable between a first position for stacking sheets of said sheet media and a second position wherein said elongated side-by-side parallel surfaces on said stacking means are aligned along said path with said upper surfaces of said rails and are co-planar therewith; and belt drive means for simultaneously driving said belts.

2. A device as defined in claim 1 further comprising divert means associated with said drive belts and said stacking means for selectively diverting sheets from said stacking means.

3. A device as defined in claim 2 wherein said divert means includes a plurality of elongated, side-by-side parallel surfaces lying in the plane defined by the elongated surfaces of said surface means and being aligned therewith, said divert means being associated with said belts and being movable along said path between a first non-diverting position and a second position wherein said divert means obstructs said stacking means.

4. A device as defined in claim 2 further comprising control means for coordinating movement of said stacking means and said divert means relative to said belts, said control means comprised of a rotatable element movable about a fixed axis having cam surfaces operatively engaging said stacking means and said divert means.

5. A device as defined in claim 4 further comprising transfer means associated with said belts for moving a stack of sheets from said stacking means to a receiving location.

6. A device for handling and feeding sheet material comprising:
an elongated, generally flat first surface means defining a path along which said sheet material is to be driven;
at least three spaced-apart side-by-side, endless drive belts having an outer frictional surface, each of said drive belts having a portion thereof extending along said surface means wherein said frictional surfaces are disposed opposing and generally parallel to said surface means to confine said sheet material between said frictional surface of said drive belts and said surface means;
belt drive means for simultaneously driving said belts; and stacking means positioned along said path defined by said first surface means in operative relation with said belts for stacking said sheet material into a uniform stack, said stacking means comprised of a generally planar stacking plate capable of reciprocal movement between a first position for stacking said sheet material and a second position wherein said plate is generally co-planar with said surface means and in operative engagement with said belts, and means for aligning one edge of said sheet material into a uniform stack.

7. A device as defined in claim 6 wherein said aligning means comprises:
a generally planar wall associated with said stacking plate; and, a paddle wheel assembly which is operable to engage the surface of said sheets and to urge said sheets against said planar wall.

8. A device as defined in claim 7 wherein said paddle wheel assembly comprises:
annular hubs having a plurality of resilient straps extending radially therefrom, wherein said resilient straps are comprised of the material capable of gripping said sheet material.

9. A device for handling and feeding sheet material comprising:
an elongated, generally flat first surface means defining a path along which said sheet material is to be driven;
at least three spaced-apart side-by-side, endless drive belts having an outer frictional surface, each of said drive belts having a portion thereof extending along said surface means wherein said frictional surfaces are disposed opposing and generally parallel to said surface means to confine said sheet material between said frictional surfaces of said drive belts and said surface means;
dispensing means for dispensing said sheet material;
belt drive means for simultaneously driving said belts;
storage means for storing said sheet material to be dispensed;
holding means for holding predetermined sheets of said sheet material; and diverting means positioned along said path in operative engagement with said belts for diverting said predetermined sheets from said dispensing means to said holding means, said diverting means including a generally planar divert plate having surfaces defining a portion of said path along which said sheets are driven, said plate being capable of reciprocal movement along said path from a first position for dispensing said sheet material to a second position for diverting said predetermined sheets to said holding means.

10. A device for handling and feeding sheet material as defined in claim 9 wherein said diverting means includes a generally planar divert plate having surfaces defining a portion of said path along which said sheets are driven, said plate being capable of reciprocal movement along said path from a first position for dispensing said sheet material to a second position for diverting said predetermined sheets to said holding means.

11. An apparatus for dispensing sheet media comprising:
a housing for containing one or more types of sheet media to be dispensed;
receiving means accessible to a patron from which said sheet media may be received;
means for receiving identification information from a patron;
means for utilizing said identification information to determine whether said patron has a dispensing authorization status;
means for receiving dispensing information from a patron;
a computer unit having means for receiving identification information and dispensing information and for generating output instructional information and control signals; and, sheet media dispensing means responsive to output instructional information and control signals from said computer unit for dispensing said sheet media, said sheet media dispensing means including:
at least one sheet media transport comprised of surface means having at least two side-by-side elongated surfaces which lie in a common plane and which extend parallel to each other to define a generally linear sheet media path; and, at least three spaced-apart, side-by-side, parallel endless belts having outer frictional surfaces, each of said belts having a portion thereof extending parallel to said elongated surfaces, said belts being juxtaposed and spaced from said elongated surfaces to form an undulating passage therebetween to receive individual sheets of said sheet media wherein said belts are operative to drive said sheets along said elongated surfaces;
stacking means for stacking said sheet media; and divert means for diverting irregular sheet media from said stacking means, said stacking means and said divert means including movable surface means positionable to form part of said surface means.

12. An apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said sheet media transport includes means for stacking said sheet media, said stacking means including elevated rails having elongated surfaces aligned with said elongated surfaces of said surface means and in operative relationship with said belts, said stacking means operable to form a stack between said elongated surfaces and said belts.

13. An apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein said stacking means is comprised of:
a stacking plate having elevated rails thereon, the upper surfaces of said rails defining the elongated surfaces of said stacking means, and plate being movable between a first position for stacking said sheets wherein said stacking plate is disposed from said linear path and a second position wherein said elongated surfaces on said stacking plate are aligned with said elongated surfaces on said surface means.

14. An apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein said stacking means further includes aligning means for aligning one edge of the sheets.

15. An apparatus as defined in claim 14 further comprising holding means for holding predetermined sheets of said sheet media and wherein said currency transport includes divert means for diverting said predetermined sheet from said receiving means to said holding means, said divert means including elevated rails defining elongated surfaces which are aligned with said elongated surfaces on said surface means and which are movable along said linear path.

16. An apparatus as defined in claim 15 further comprising control means controlled by said computer unit for coordinating movement of said stacking means and said divert means.

17. An apparatus as defined in claim 16 wherein said control means is comprised of a rotatable member pivotable about a fixed axis, said member including cam surfaces in operative engagement with said stacking means and said divert means.

18. An apparatus as defined in claim 17 further comprising transfer means for transferring a stack of sheets from said stacking means to said receiving means.

19. An apparatus as defined in claim 11 further comprising holding means for holding predetermined sheets of said sheet media and wherein said sheet media transport includes divert means for diverting said predetermined sheet from said receiving means to said holding means, said divert means including elevated rails defining elongated surfaces aligned with said elongated surfaces on said surface means and being movable along said linear path.

20. An apparatus as defined in claim 19 wherein said sheet media transport includes means for stacking said currency, said stacking means including elevated rails defining elongated surfaces aligned with said elongated surfaces on said surface means and in operative relationship with said belts, said stacking means operable to form a stack between said rails and said belts.

21. An apparatus as defined in claim 20 wherein said stacking means is comprised of:

a stacking plate having said elevated rails thereon, said plate being movable between a first position for stacking said sheets wherein said stacking plate is disposed from said linear path and a second position wherein said elevated rails are juxtaposed with said belts.

22. An apparatus as defined in claim 21 further comprising control means controlled by said computer unit for coordinating movement of said stacking means and said divert means.

23. An apparatus as defined in claim 22 wherein said control means is comprised of a rotatable member pivotable about a fixed axis, said member including cam surfaces in operative engagement with said stacking means and said divert means.

24. A device for dispensing sheet media comprising:
storage means for storing sheet media to be dispensed;
receiving means accessible to a patron from which said sheet media may be received;
receptacle means for retaining sheets of said media;
stacking means for stacking individual sheets of said sheet media into a stack;
transport means for transporting sequentially individual sheets from said storage means to said stacking means and for transporting sheets of said media from said receiving means to said receptacle means, said transport means comprised of:
generally planar surface means, and at least three spaced apart, side-by-side, endless drive belts having an outer frictional surface, each of said drive belts having a portion thereof extending along said planar surface means wherein said frictional surfaces of said belts are disposed opposing and generally parallel to said planar surface means, said drive belts operable to drive said sheet media along said planar surface means by frictional engagement between said drive belts and said sheet media;
transfer means for transferring one or more of said sheets from said stacking means to said receiving means; and, divert means associated with said transport means operable to cause selected sheets transported from said storage means to said stacking means to be diverted to said receptacle means, said stacking means and said divert means forming a portion of said planar surface means.

25. A device as defined in claim 24 further comprising sensing means for sensing said selected sheets, wherein said divert means causes said selected sheets to be diverted to said receptacle means.

26. A device as defined in claim 24 wherein said planar surface means defines at least two spaced-apart, side-by-side, parallel rails, said rails being parallel to and juxtaposed with said belts to define an undulating passage therebetween.

27. A device as defined in claim 24 further comprising control means for coordinating and controlling said stacking means and said divert means.

28. A device as defined in claim 27 further comprising gate means for controlling access to said receiving means.

29. A device as defined in claim 28 wherein said gate means is controlled by said control means.

30. A device for dispensing sheet media comprising:
storage means for storing sheet media to be dispensed;
receiving means accessible to a patron from which said sheet media may be received;
receptacle means for retaining sheets of said media;
stacking means for stacking individual sheets of said sheet media into a stack, transport means for transporting individual sheets from said storage means to said stacking means and for transporting sheets of said media from said receiving means to said receptacle means;
transfer means for transferring a stack of sheets from said stacking means to said receiving means;

divert means associated with said transport means operable to cause sheets transported from said storage means to said stacking means to be diverted to said receptacle means;
gate means for controlling access to said receiving means;
and control means for coordinating and controlling said stacking means and said divert means, said control means including a structural member which is rotatable about a fixed axis which includes cam means operatively engaging said stacking means, said divert means and said gate means.

31. A device for dispensing sheet media comprising:
storage means for storing sheet media to be dispensed;
receiving means accessible to a patron from which said sheet media may be received;
receptacle means for retaining sheets of said media;
stacking means for stacking one or more sheets of said sheet media into a stack, said stacking means comprised of a generally planar member having spaced-apart, side-by-side rails thereon, said planar member being movable between a first position for stacking said sheet media and a second position;
transport means for transporting individual sheets from said storage means to said stacking means and for transporting sheets of said media from said receiving means to said receptacle means, said transport means comprised of:
generally planar surface means, and at least three spaced-apart, side-by-side, endless drive belts having an outer frictional surface, each of said drive belts having a portion thereof extending along said surface means wherein said frictional surfaces of said belts are disposed opposing and generally parallel to said surface means, said planar member of said stacking means being generally parallel to and spaced from said portion of said drive belts which extend along said surface means when said planar member is in said second position, said rails on said planar member being parallel to and juxtaposed with said belts;
transfer means for transferring a stack of sheets from said stacking means to said receiving means; and divert means associated with said transport means operable to cause sheets transported from said storage means to said stacking means to be diverted to said receptacle means.

32. A device as defined in claim 31 wherein said divert means is comprised of a generally planar divert member having spaced-apart, side-by-side, parallel rails thereon, said rails being aligned with said rails on said stacking member, said planar divert member being movable along an axis generally parallel to said rails.

33. A device for handling and feeding sheet media comprising:
elongated surface means defining a linear path along which said sheets are driven, said surface means including at least two spaced-apart, side-by-side, parallel elongated surfaces, lying in a common plane extending along said linear path;
at least three spaced-apart, side-by-side, endless drive belts having an outer frictional surface, each of said drive belts having a portion thereof extending along said surface means wherein said frictional surfaces are disposed opposing and generally parallel to said surface means, said portions of said drive belts being parallel to and juxtaposed with said elongated surfaces to define an undulating passage to confine said sheet between said frictional surfaces of said drive belts and said elongated surfaces;
belt drive means for simultaneously driving said belts; and stacking means associated with said drive belts for stacking said sheet media, said stacking means including a plurality of elongated side-by-side parallel surfaces lying in a common plane and being movable between a first location for stacking sheets of said sheet media and a second position wherein said elongated side-by-side parallel surfaces on said stacking means are aligned along said path with said elongated surfaces of said elongated surface means and are co-planar therewith.

34. A device as defined in claim 33 further comprising divert means associated with said drive belts and said stacking means for selectively diverting sheets from said stacking means.

35. A device as defined in claim 34 wherein said divert means includes a plurality of elongated, side-by-side parallel surfaces lying in the plane defined by the elongated surfaces of said surface means and being aligned therewith, said divert means being movable along said path between a first nondiverting position and a second position wherein said divert means obstructs said stacking means.

36. A device for handling and feeding sheet media comprising:
elongated surface means defining a linear path along which said sheets are driven, said surface means including at least two spaced-apart, side-by-side, parallel elongated surfaces, lying in a common plane extending along said linear path;
at least three spaced-apart, side-by-side, endless drive belts having an outer frictional surface, each of said drive belts having a portion thereof extending along said surface means wherein said frictional surfaces are disposed opposing and generally parallel to said surface means, said portions of said drive belts being parallel to and juxtaposed with said elongated surfaces to define an undulating passage to confine said sheet between said frictional surfaces of said drive belts and said elongated surfaces;
belt drive means for simultaneously driving said belts;
stacking means associated with said drive belts for stacking said sheet media;
divert means associated with said drive belts and said stacking means for selectively diverting sheets from said stacking means; and control means for coordinating movement of said stacking means and said divert means relative to said belts, said control means comprised of a rotatable element movable about a fixed axis having cam surfaces operatively engaging said stacking means and said divert means.

37. A device as defined in claim 36 wherein:
said stacking means includes a plurality of elongated side-by-side parallel surfaces lying in a common plane and being movable between a first location for stacking sheets of said sheet media and a second position wherein said elongated surfaces on said stacking means are aligned along said path with said elongated surfaces of said surface means and are co-planar therewith; and, said divert means includes a plurality of elongated, side-by-side parallel surfaces lying in the plane defined by the elongated surfaces of said surface means and being aligned therewith, said divert means being movable along said path between a first non-diverting position and a second position wherein said divert means obstructs said stacking means.

38. A device as defined in claim 37 further comprising transfer means associated with said belts for moving a stack of sheets from said stacking means to a receiving location.

39. A device for handling and feeding sheet material comprising:
an elongated, generally flat first surface means defining a path along which said sheet material is driven;
at least three spaced-apart, side-by-side, endless drive belts having an outer frictional surface, each of said drive belts having a portion thereof extending along said surface means wherein said frictional surfaces are disposed opposing and generally parallel to said surface means to confine said sheet material between said frictional surface of said drive belts and said surface means;
belt drive means for simultaneously driving said belts;

stacking means positioned along said path defined by said first surface means in operative relation with said belts for stacking said sheet material into a uniform stack, said stacking means including:
a generally planar stacking plate capable of reciprocal movement between a first position for stacking said sheet material and a second position wherein said plate is generally co-planar with said surface means and in operative engagement with said belts; and, means for aligning one edge of said sheet material into a uniform stack.

40. A device as defined in claim 39 wherein said aligning means comprises:
a generally planar wall associated with said stacking plate; and, a paddle wheel assembly which is operable to engage the surface of said sheets and to urge said sheets against said planar wall.

41. A device as defined in claim 40 wherein said paddle wheel assembly comprises:
annular hubs having a plurality of resilient straps extending radially therefrom, wherein said resilient straps are comprised of material capable of gripping said sheet material.

42. A device for handling and feeding sheet material comprising:
an elongated, generally flat first surface means defining a path along which said sheet material is driven;
at least three spaced-apart, side-by-side, endless drive belts having an outer frictional surface, each of said drive belts having a portion thereof extending along said surface means wherein said frictional surfaces are disposed opposing and generally parallel to said surface means to confine said sheet material between said frictional surfaces of said drive belts and said surface means;

dispensing means for dispensing said sheet material;
belt drive means for simultaneously driving said belts;
storage means for storing said sheet material to be dispensed;
holding means for holding predetermined sheets of said sheet material;
diverting means positioned along said path in operative engagement with said belts for diverting said predetermined sheets from said dispensing means to said holding means, said diverting means including a generally planar divert plate having surfaces defining a portion of said path along which said sheets are driven, said plate being capable of reciprocal movement along said path from a first position for dispensing said sheet material to a second position for diverting said predetermined sheets to said holding means.

43. A device for handling and feeding sheet material comprising:
an elongated, generally flat first surface means defining a generally planar, straight path along which said sheet material is driven, transport means to convey sheet material along said path, stacking means located along said path for stacking said sheet material into a uniform stack, said stacking means being operatively disposed along said path and having a stacking surface alignable with said first surface means to form a portion of said path;
divert means located along said path for diverting selected sheets away from said stacking means into a receptacle for receiving and holding said selected sheets, said divert means being operatively disposed along said path and including divert surface means aligned with said first surface means to form a portion of said path;
dispensing means located at an end of said path for dispensing a stack of one or more of said sheets, said dispensing means including gate means; and transfer means movable along said path for driving a stack of one or more of said sheet material from said stacking means along said first surface means to said dispensing means.

44. A device as defined in claim 43 wherein said transfer means is comprised of a push plate reciprocally movable from a first position to a second position adjacent said dispensing means.

45. A device as defined in claim 44 further comprising control means for coordinating movement of said divert means and said stacking means.

46. A device as defined in claim 45 wherein said control means, said push plate, said transfer means, and said gate are controlled by a central processing unit.

47. A device as defined in claim 44 wherein said stacking means is comprised of a generally planar stack plate having a planar upper surface, said stack plate being movable between a first position for stacking said sheets and a second position wherein said upper surface of said stack plate is aligned with said first surface means; and wherein said divert means is comprised of a generally planar divert plate having a planar upper surface aligned with said first surface means, said divert plate being movable between a first position for dispensing said sheet material and a second position for diverting said selected sheets to said receptacle.

48. An apparatus for dispensing sheet media comprising:
a housing for containing sheet media to be dispensed;
receiving means accessible to a patron from which said sheet media may be received;
means for receiving identification information from a patron;
means for utilizing said identification information to determine whether said patron has a dispensing authorization status;
means for receiving dispensing information from a patron;

a computer unit having means for receiving identification information and dispensing information from a patron and for generating output instructional information and control signals in response thereto and;
sheet media dispensing means including:
at least one sheet media transport comprised of generally planar surface means having at least two side-by-side elongated surfaces which lie in a common plane and which extend parallel to each other, said planar surface means defining a generally linear path; and, at least three spaced-apart, side-by-side, parallel endless belts having outer frictional surfaces, each of said belts having a portion thereof extending parallel to said elongated surfaces, said belts being juxtaposed and spaced from said elongated surfaces to form an undulated passage therebetween to receive individual sheets of said sheet media;
belt drive means responsive to said control signals for moving said belts along said generally planar surface means wherein said belts are operative to drive said sheets along said side-by-side elongated surfaces, and stacking means for stacking said sheet media, and divert means for diverting irregular sheet media from said stacking means, said stacking means and said divert means including movable surface means positionable to form part of said generally planar surface means.

49. An apparatus for dispensing sheet media comprising:
a housing for containing sheet media to be dispensed;
receiving means accessible to a patron from which said sheet media may be received;
means for receiving identification information from a patron;
means for utilizing said identification information to determined whether said patron has a dispensing authorization status;
means for receiving dispensing information from a patron;
a computer unit having means for receiving identification information and dispensing information from a patron and for generating output instructional information and control signals in response thereto;
sheet media dispensing means including:
at least one sheet media transport comprised of surface means having at least two side-by-side elongated surfaces which lie in a common plane and which extend parallel to each other to define a generally linear path, at least three spaced-apart, side-by-side, parallel endless belts having outer frictional surfaces, each of said belts having a portion thereof extending parallel to said elongated surfaces, said belts being juxtaposed and spaced from said elongated surfaces to form an undulated passage therebetween to receive individual sheets of said sheet media wherein said belts are operative to drive said sheets along said surfaces;
stacking means disposed along said path for stacking said sheet media, said stacking means includes elevated rails having elongated surfaces which are movable between a first position wherein a stack of sheet media may be formed on said elongated surfaces and a second position wherein said elongated surfaces are aligned with said elongated surfaces of said surface means and in operative relationship with said belts; and divert means disposed along said path for diverting irregular sheet media from said stacking means.

50. An apparatus as defined in claim 49 wherein said stacking means is comprised of:
a stacking plate having elevated rails thereon, the upper surfaces of said rails defining the elongated surfaces of said stacking means, said plate being movable between a first position for stacking said sheets wherein said stacking plate is disposed from said linear path and a second position wherein said elongated surfaces on said stacking plate are aligned with said elongated surfaces on said surface means.

51. An apparatus as defined in claim 50 wherein said stacking means further includes aligning means for aligning one edge of the sheets.

52. An apparatus as defined in claim 51 wherein said divert means includes elevated rails defining elongated surfaces which are aligned with said elongated surfaces on said surface means and which are movable along said linear path.

53. An apparatus as defined in claim 52 further comprising control means controlled by said computer unit for coordinating movement of said stacking means and said divert means.

54. An apparatus as defined in claim 53 wherein said control means is comprised of a rotatable member pivotable about a fixed axis, said member including cam surfaces in operative engagement with said stacking means and said divert means.

55. An apparatus as defined in claim 54 further comprising transfer means for transferring a stack of sheets from said stacking means to said receiving means.

56. A device for dispensing sheet media comprising:
storage means for storing said sheet media to be dispensed;
elongated surface means defining a generally planar, straight path along which said sheet material is to be driven;
access means at one end of said path from which said sheet media may be dispensed as a single sheet or a stack of sheets;
means for conveying individually said sheet media from said storage means to said path;
stacking means operable to stack individual sheets into a stack of sheets, said stacking means including generally planar stacking surface means movable relative to said path between a first position wherein said stacking surface means is aligned with said elongated surface means and forms a portion of said path and a second position wherein said stacking surface means is displaced from said elongated surface means;
divert means for selectively diverting select sheets of said sheet media away from said stacking means, said divert means including generally planar divert surface means which is reciprocally movable along said path and aligned with said elongated surface means forming said path; and, conveyor belt means adjacent said path, said belt means being in operative relation to said elongated surface means, said stacking surface means and said divert surface means to convey said sheet media by frictional engagement along said elongated surface means and said divert surface means and along said stacking surface means when said stacking surface means is in said first position.

57. A device as defined in claim 56 further comprising control means for coordinating and controlling said stacking and said divert means, said control means mechanically connecting operation of said divert means with said stacking means.

58. A device as defined in claim 56 wherein said elongated surface means, said stacking surface means and said divert surface means include elongated, generally parallel, side-by-side rails, the upper surface of which defines the surface along which said sheet media is conveyed.