CH647299A5 - Automatic dispenser, in particular for banks - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to automated teller machine equipment, in particular for banking use.

The purpose of ATM machines is the automatic fulfillment of certain frequent transactions between an establishment and its customers. In the case of banks, they allow in particular the automatic distribution of cash and, sometimes, the deposit of securities by the bank's customers. There are also ATM machines to assist the ATM for the distribution of cash.

This equipment can be available outside the establishment, for example in its external wall, or inside, available to the customer or the counter.

A typical counter includes a desk placed at a suitable height to allow easy access for users, a safe, generally separated from users by a wall having an orifice on which one or more carriers depend which connect it inside the safe -fort.

It is important that the equipment used for this purpose offer great security against attempts to fraudulently access the contents of the safe, in particular as regards the necessary connection between this safe and the access port of customers. In addition, when the counter is equipped to receive securities deposited by customers, it is also desirable that these are, upon receipt, automatically sheltered in the trunk.

The present invention notably satisfies these conditions. It relates to an automatic teller machine for carrying out transactions between an establishment and its customers, or for the assistance of the teller machine, of the type comprising a safe for storing valuables, a wall having an opening between the trunk and an area of use, and a conveyor connecting this orifice and the interior of the trunk. This counter is characterized in that the transporter is capable of conveying, by the same passage through the trunk, objects from this trunk, with a view to their distribution by said orifice, and objects deposited by this orifice towards the trunk , with a view to their sheltering therein, means for controlling the conveyor being provided to cause the conveyance towards said orifice of objects loaded on this conveyor in the trunk, in response to a distribution order emanating from the area of use, and to cause the delivery in the trunk of objects deposited on the conveyor through said orifice, in response to a deposit order emanating from the area of use.

Thus, all transactions involving the distribution and deposit of objects requiring the protection conferred by the safe are made by a single orifice and by a single carrier.

The trunk is crossed by a single passage, the size of which can be relatively small, in order to minimize the risks of unauthorized access to the interior.

Security is as great as in equipment that only has a one-way connection between the safe and the area of use, although it also protects deposits made by customers, who are immediately put in the shelter inside the trunk.

The access opening can be closed by a shutter, or eyelid, the operation of which can be controlled from distribution and deposit orders.

A conveyor for implementing the invention can, advantageously, occupy at least one position inside the trunk, for handling objects to be distributed or deposited in the trunk, and at least one position at the level of the orifice, for the transfer of said objects in one direction or the other through it. The control means then comprise means which are capable of causing the conveyor to go back and forth between said position inside the trunk and said position at the orifice, during each distribution and / or deposition operation. The eyelid closing the access opening can, in this case, be maneuvered by the movements of the transporter between its position (s) inside the boot and its position (s) at the opening, so as to maintain the eyelid in open position when the transporter is in this or these last positions.

According to one embodiment, the transporter can take a position inside the safe suitable for allowing the unloading of objects conveyed in the safe; it can also and advantageously take a separate collection position, allowing the loading of a plurality of objects on this conveyor, so as to allow the routing and the grouped or packet distribution of such objects, for example bundles of Bank notes.

The counter can include a box suitable for receiving objects and transfer means for moving this box in a complete round trip between the interior of the safe and the orifice, under the control of a distribution order or depositing objects from the user. It is particularly suitable for collecting objects such as sheets or tickets debited by a manipulator to form bundles inside the trunk. It also makes it possible to unload objects, by gravity, from this box to the trunk.

This box can be designed to present two distinct conditions or positions at the orifice, depending on whether it is used to distribute objects or to receive them on deposit. In one of these positions, a pusher causes the objects contained in the box to spring out at the orifice when it reaches the edges of the latter. In the other position, this pusher is retracted when the box reaches the vicinity of this orifice to receive an object therein.

The following description of an exemplary embodiment is made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1 is a diagram of the general organization of an ATM according to the invention;

fig. 2, formed by the union of FIGS. 2A and 2B along line XX, is an overall view in elevation of such a window;

fig. 3 is a view from the left of the device in FIG. 2, with section of the lower part along line BB of FIG. 2;

fig. 4 shows in cross section, along the plane CC of FIG. 7, a transport box with its drive carriage in a guide rail of the device of FIGS. 2 and 3;

fig. 5 is an elevational view of the carriage of FIG. 4;

fig. 6 and 7 are respectively plan and elevation views cut along lines respectively DD and FF of FIGS. 7 and 6;

fig. 8 is a perspective diagram of the different positions that can be occupied by a conveyor box, and FIGS. 9 to 11 are flow charts for operating the counter.

An automatic teller machine (fig. 1) has an area 10, reserved for users, limited by a wall 12 containing a desk 14 provided with control keys 16 and 18. In the wall 12 is formed an orifice, or opening, under the shape of a slot 20 closed by a shutter, or eyelid, 22 capable of disappearing in a direction substantially tangent to the plane of the slot 20,

to open it.

The wall 12 separates the area 10 from an enclosure 23 in which is installed a safe 24 resting on the ground at its lower part, not shown, and delimited by vertical walls 26 and by a horizontal ceiling 28 which is located at a height less than that of the slot 20 in the wall 12, which is determined according to the convenience of use of the window.

In an upper corner of the trunk 24, delimited by a vertical wall 26 and by the ceiling 28, is mounted the lower part 32 of a conveyor 30 establishing communication, by an inclined tunnel 34, between the slot 20 formed in the wall 12 and the interior of the

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trunk 24. The tunnel 34 terminates immediately behind the eyelid 22. It crosses the ceiling 28 of the trunk 24, in the vicinity of its angle with the wall 26, by a passage 29 of parallelepiped section. The wall of the trunk is fortified and relatively thick, and the tunnel 34 completely fills the passage 29. The slot 20 is elongated in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the figure, and the section of the tunnel 34 is rectangular and elongated in the same direction as slot 20.

The conveyor 30 comprises a box 35 of substantially flattened parallelepiped shape, the cross section of which is slightly smaller than that of the tunnel 34.

In alignment with the tunnel 34, at the end of the lower part 32, is mounted a motor 38 suitable for driving the gearbox 35, as will be explained.

The box 35, clearly visible in perspective in different positions in FIG. 8, is able to move in translation, inside the tunnel 34, between positions close to the slot 20 and positions inside the trunk, in the lower part 32 of the conveyor. It is articulated around an axis 42 and, when it is inside the trunk, is capable, by pivoting around this axis, of occupying several positions offset angularly which will be explained below. This box 35 has an outlet or opening 45, at its front part, by which it engages in the tunnel 34 in the direction of the slot 20. In this way, when the box 35 is in the advanced position inside the tunnel 34, the opening 45 is located opposite the slot 20.

Under the control of the motor 38, the box 35 is suitable for carrying out the transport and maneuvering cycles relating to two distinct operations of automatic teller machine, a distribution operation and a deposit operation, during which it comes to occupy some of its different positions illustrated in fig. 1 and 8.

In position III, or rest position, the box 35 is generally parallel to the horizontal plane, its upper side, which forms a cover 50 articulated along one of its edges 52, being lifted as clearly illustrated in FIG. 8A. It is ready to receive objects such as banknotes debited one by one, by a manipulator, not shown, mounted inside the trunk, and which penetrate through the upper opening 54 of the box uncovered by the cover 50 .

In position IV (fig. 1), the box 35 is tilted around the axis 42 at about 45 ° relative to position III, so that its opening 45 is oriented towards the bottom of the trunk 24, the cover 50 remaining open as shown in fig. 8E. In this position, any object previously loaded in the box is evacuated by gravity towards the bottom of the vault delimited by the trunk 24. Reference will be made to positions III and IV as the positions of charge and discharge, respectively, of box 35.

To circulate (transfer position) inside the tunnel 34, the box 35 is inclined in the axis of the latter, its opening 45 being turned upwards; the cover 50 closes, as illustrated in FIG. 8B, the upper opening 54. When the front opening 45 arrives at the eyelid 22, the latter is excamotated by means which will be explained below.

When the transporter is ordered to distribute tickets previously loaded inside the safe, the arrival of the box in slot 20 in position I (fig. 1) is accompanied by the advance of a pusher 56 at the rear part of this box, which has the effect of advancing the bundle of banknotes 60 contained in the box 35 to make it pass through the opening 45 and make it spring out of the slot 20 in the area 10 of the window, in a position, as shown in FIG. 8C, where it can be easily entered by the customer.

In position II (fig. 1), which is also explained by fig. 8D, the opening 45 of the box 35 is located opposite the slot 20, and the pusher 56 is retracted at the bottom of the box 35 to allow the introduction of parts such as deposit slips, cash or checks intended to be placed in the safe for the account of the customer making the deposit.

During a distribution cycle, the box 35 is loaded in position III (fig. 1), then tilted around the axis 42 to come into alignment with the tunnel 34 (position of fig. 8B). It is then advanced in this tunnel until it comes to occupy position I, after retraction of the eyelid 22 to release the slot 20 and allow the bundle of banknotes to be dispensed to exit. The withdrawal of the tickets is detected as explained later and causes the control of the return of the box 35 inside the trunk, then its tilting around the axis 42 to come into position IV, in order to evacuate any object which would have could inadvertently stay in the box, and finally restore it to the rest position III.

During a deposition cycle, as it is controlled by the user from one of the controls 16 or 18 of the desk 14, the box 35 starting from position III advances in the tunnel 34 to in position II by causing the eyelid 22 to open, so as to allow the deposit of the objects or of the valuables to be deposited. The detection of this deposit causes the return of this box inside the trunk, its tilting in the IV discharge position to evacuate the objects deposited inside the vault and its return to position III.

In an installation intended for the exterior of a banking establishment, the wall 12 is mounted inside a wall 70 (FIG. 2) using a built-in box 72, the trunk 24 being placed immediately behind this wall on the inside. The eyelid 22, of slightly arched shape, is carried by a movable flap 75 articulated around an axis 77 integral with the housing 72. This flap has a stop 78 which, when pushed in the direction of the arrow 80, makes tilt the flap around the axis 77 and turn the eyelid 22 which disappears in a housing 81 in an arc behind the wall 12, so as to release the slot 20. On the other side of the eyelid 22, by relative to the slot 20, a chute 83 is mounted, the walls of which are narrowing towards its end 85, in order to guide objects presented at the inlet 86 of this chute towards the slot 20.

The conveyor 30 proper comprises a support housing 90 formed, in particular, of two side plates 91 and 92 (fig. 3) joined by spacers 93, which support the lower part 32 of the conveyor 30. At its upper part, the tunnel 34 is delimited by a sheath 95 which extends to the vicinity of the chute 83, its end 97 adjoining the axis 77 of the shutter 75 for operating the eyelid 22. This housing 90 is fixed to the trunk 24 and to the wall 12 by means not shown. The sheath 95 crosses the inclined passage 29 at an angle substantially equal to 45 ° in this example. On an internal lateral face 99 of the sheath 95 (fig. 3) and on the plate 91 which extends it in the lower part 32 of the conveyor 30 is mounted a rail 100 which extends over the entire length of the conveyor between the end 97 of the sheath 95 and the lower end 102 of the conveyor where the motor 38 is mounted.

The rail 100 has a C-shaped profile (fig. 4), the bottom 103 of which is fixed, by means not shown, to the housing 90 and the upper 105 and lower 106 internal parts of which constitute guide tracks for the rollers d 'A carriage 110 suitable for driving the box 35 in its race inside the tunnel 34.

The carriage 110 (FIG. 5) has a body 112 suitable for being housed inside the C 100 rail. It is equipped with upper rollers 114 and 115, capable of coming to roll on the internal upper face 105 of the rail, and lower rollers 116 and 117 suitable for being applied to the lower track 106 of the C-rail 100. The axes of the rollers 114 to 117 are perpendicular to the bottom 103 of the rail 100. The body 112 of the carriage 110 extends on the side of the distribution slot 20, at the front of the rollers 114 to 117, and supports two drive rollers 122 and 124, with axes parallel to those of the rollers 114 to 117, as well as a train of reduction gears 126 and 128 driven from a ring gear 130 secured to the roller 122. The wheel 128 is articulated in the vicinity of the front end 120 of the carriage 110 and can be driven at a speed substantially lower than that of the roller 122, by the the gear train in question. On the axis of the wheel 128 is mounted a pivot rod 133 with an axis 42 (see fig. 4) on which a piece 135 is fixed.

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integral with the box 35, to secure this box to the carriage 110 in translation, while leaving it the possibility of pivoting with the end wheel 128 of the carriage 110 when it is not locked in rotation by means which will be explained below.

The periphery of the roller 122 is notched; it is attacked by a toothed belt 140 which envelops it before being returned in the opposite direction by the roller 124 to a return pulley 142 (fig. 2 and 5) with an axis integral with the front end 97 of the tunnel 34 The toothed belt 140 (fig. 2) runs inside the C-rail 100 to another toothed pulley 145 driven directly by the motor 38 at the opposite end of the tunnel 34. From the pulley 145, the belt 140 is returned to the lower part of the C-shaped rail towards the carriage 110, to wrap around the notched roller 122.

When the end wheel 128 of the carriage 110 is locked in rotation via the box 35, the drive of the belt 140 by the motor 38 pulls the carriage along the rail 100 in a direction which corresponds to the direction of rotation of the motor 38. On the other hand, if the end wheel 128 is not prevented from turning by the pivot 133 and if, conversely, the movement of the carriage 100 is blocked in translation, the movement of the belt on the roller 122 drives, by the gear train 126, 128, 130, the rotation of the rod 133, with the effect of tilting the box 35 about its axis 42 (fig. 1, 2 and 5).

In its advanced position in the tunnel 34, the front end 120 of the body 112 of the carriage 110 comes to meet a roller 150 (FIG. 2). This roller 150 is mounted free around an axis 152, itself free to slide forward in a groove 154 formed in a sole 155 mounted at the front of the tunnel 34 and at its lower part. A rod 160, slidably mounted at the front of the tunnel 34, supports a counter-stop 162 suitable for engaging the stop 78 of the flap 75 for controlling the eyelid 22. The rear end 164 of the rod 160 opposite the counter- stop 162 is engaged by the axis 152 of the roller 150 when this roller 150 is pushed forward by the front end 120 of the carriage body 110. The rod 160 is biased by a return spring not shown. Thus, when the carriage 110 approaches the end of its forward travel, its end 120 causes the eyelid 22 to tilt when opening, in opposition to the return spring of the counter-stop 162.

The box 35 comprises a rectangular floor 184 (FIGS. 6 and 7) whose front edge 186 is folded back to form a lip at the bottom edge of the opening 45. The rear end of the floor 184 is folded upwards to form a rim 188 (fig. 7).

On the side facing the rail 100, the box 35 is delimited by a side plate 182 connected to the floor 184 (fig. 4) and whose upper longitudinal edge, or edge, 52 is equipped with a spring hinge 190 for the articulation of a plate 192 forming the cover 50. This plate 192 is constantly urged to open by the hinge 190 towards the position shown in FIG. 3.

In the closed position, the front end of the cover 50 approaches the bottom 184 according to an inclined face 194 (fig. 7) before ending, at the front, with a folded edge forming a lip 196 opposite the lip 186 at aperture 45.

The side opposite to the plate 182 of the box 35 is open (fig. 3).

On the side plate 182 is mounted a longitudinal rail 200 (FIGS. 4 and 6) on which is slidably mounted a slide 202 secured to a square frame 204 including a wing 206, parallel to the plate 182, supports the piece 135 for coupling the rod 133 (of axis 42) and the other wing 208 of which is placed below the floor 184 and parallel to it.

The floor 184 is pierced with two parallel longitudinal slots 210 (FIG. 6) in which two studs 211 can slide, joining the lower wing 208 of the frame 204 with a push plate 212 which defines the push member 56 of the fig. 1. The push plate 212 is located above the floor 184 and is perpendicular thereto; it closes the rear side of the box 35 (fig. 7).

The push-plate 212 and square reinforcement 204 assembly form a movable unit in translation relative to the floor 184, by sliding the slide 202 on the rail 200, which makes it possible to advance the push-plate 212 from its position fig. 5 to an advanced position in which the studs 211 abut at the front 213 of the light 210 (fig. 6). This crew is constantly urged towards its rear position, shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, by a tension coil spring 220, one end of which is fixed at 222 under the floor 184, at the front of the latter, and the other end of which is secured in 224 to the wing 204 under the part 135 (fig. 7). The spring 220 passes over a return pulley 226 at the rear end of the floor 184.

A round window 227 is formed in the floor 184, slightly in front of the front edge 209 of the wing 208 (visible through the lumen 210 of FIG. 6). Another round window 228 is formed further forward in the floor 184. A third round window 229, formed in the lower wing 208 of the frame 204, is capable of coming into alignment with the window 228 when the frame 204 is advanced to the maximum of the front stroke of pusher 56 (plate 212). The role of the windows is to make it possible to verify the presence of objects deposited in the box 35, as will be explained below.

On the wing 206 of the frame 204 is also mounted, behind the part 135, a roller 230 with an axis parallel to the axis 42 of the rod 133, the diameter of which is slightly less than the opening of the rail. in C 100, that is to say the distance separating the two opposite edges 232 and 234 of this rail (fig. 4).

When the carriage 110 moves forward inside the rail 100, the roller is engaged between the edges 232 and 234, thus preventing the box 35 from pivoting about its axis 42. The front roller 128 of the carriage is thus locked in rotation and the toothed belt 140, as it moves, drives the carriage 110 along the rail 100.

In the vicinity of the end of the stroke of the carriage 110 towards the front (FIG. 2), the lips 186 and 196 of the box 35 penetrate into the narrowed part 85 of the chute 83 opposite the slot 20; at the same time, the eyelid 22 is tilted at the opening. A stop 236, at the front of the floor 184 (fig. 6), engages against a counter-stop (not referenced) secured to the chute 83. The front opening 45 of the box 35 is thus presented in front of the slot 20 in the position marked II in FIGS. 1 and 8D. In this position, the roller 230 is wedged between two indexing tabs 240 and 241 (fig. 2) mounted in the corridor 34 by leaf springs 242 and 243, respectively, capable of being lifted by the roller 230 when 'It is biased forward by the toothed belt 140, and to retain the box 35 in a well-defined position II in the absence of such a force from the belt 140. In this position II, a microswitch S2, providing normally an S2 = 1 output signal is toggled to provide an S2 = 0 signal to its electrical output. In addition, the window 228 is then aligned with an optical sensor OP1 comprising a light source 245 and a photodetector 246 on either side of the tunnel 34, towards the anterior end of the latter. This sensor produces a signal OPx = 1 when the light beam is in the presence of objects such as banknotes in the box closing the window 228. In this position, it is easy to slide a document into the box 35 through the slot 20 ( deposit cycle).

If, after having reached position II, the carriage 110 continues to run under the action of the motor 38, it forces the axis 152 of the roller 150 for controlling the eyelid to disappear in a notch 157 of the groove 154 in keeping the eyelid open for the rest of its forward stroke.

At the same time, the floor of the box 35 being wedged by the stop 236 (fig. 6), the drive of the toothed belt has the effect of displacing the rod 133 by forcing the armature 204 to slide forward on the rail 200, along the side plate 182 secured to the floor 184, against the action of the return spring 220. The pusher plate 212 carries with it the bills deposited on this floor 184 forward to make them come out through the slot 20, in order to facilitate their removal until the armature 204 reaches a position corresponding to the position I of FIGS. 1 and 8C. In this position, the roller 230 is wedged between two indexing tabs 250 and 251 (fig. 2) biased by leaf springs, respectively 252 and 253, to prevent the crew formed by the frame 204 and the plate- pous5

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evening 212 to go back when the engine 38 has stopped running. In this position, a microswitch Su normally in state 1, provides an output signal 0. In addition, the window 229 is in alignment with the window 228 opposite the sensor OP1.

When the carriage 110 moves back into the tunnel 34 (FIG. 2) under the effect of the drive in the opposite direction of the motor 38, the box 35 leaves position I (microswitch S,), returns to position II (microswitch S2 ) and continues its race until the roller 230 comes into abutment with a surface 260 blocking its path in the extension of the opposite edges 232 and 234 of the rail 100. This surface is formed by an elbow in a groove 262 formed in a plate 264 attached to the open face of the C 100 rail (fig. 3), that is to say its face facing the inside of the lower part 32 of the conveyor in which this plate 264 is housed.

The groove 262 has a rectilinear part 266, coinciding with the guide space of the roller 230 between the facing edges 232 and 234 of the rail 100, and a part 268 arched upwards from the plate 264 and centered on an axis. 42 ', perpendicular to the plane of the figure which it intersects between the two opposite edges 232 and 234 of the rail 100.

When the roller 230 abuts on the surface 260 at the elbow of the groove 262, the axis 42 of tilting of the box 35 (axis of the rod 133 and the wheel 128) comes to coincide with the axis 42 '. The edge 234 of the rail is indented at 269 at this location, to allow the roller 230 to follow the arcuate part 268 of the groove when, the recoil in translation of the carriage being blocked in the position fixed by the coincidence of the axes 42 and 42 ' , the running of the belt 140 on the notched roller 122 causes, by the gear train 128, 126, 103 (fig. 5), the rotation of the rod 133. This rotational movement causes the box 35 to tilt around the axis 42, while the pulley 230 describes an arc of a circle in the groove 268. Thus, the movement of the motor 38 is effective for controlling the tilting movement of the box 35 in a direction which depends on the direction of rotation of the motor 38 between the two positions III and IV (fig. 1).

When the roller 230 abuts on the surface 260, the box 35 is inclined in the direction of the corridor (position in FIG. 8B). When the roller 230 advances along the groove arc 268, it meets two indexing tongues 270 and 271 urged by two leaf springs 272 and 273, respectively. The box 35 is then horizontal, in position III of FIG. 1 or 35 (III) in fig. 2 and 3, or in the position of fig. 8A. A microswitch S3, actuated by the roller 230 via one of the tabs 270, 271, then emits a signal S3 = 0. The window 227 (fig. 6) is in alignment with an optical sensor OP2 comprising a transmitter 275 and a receiver 276 for producing a signal OP2 = 0 when the presence of documents or tickets on the floor 184 obscures the beam of the sensor OP2. This position III is a rest position in which the box is held by the indexing tabs 270 and 271 when the motor 38 is stopped. The cover 50 is lifted by the spring hinge 190 and its upper part abuts on a roller made of flexible material 280 rotating on a shaft 282 transversely to the housing 90. In this position, the open edge of the box 35 opposite the side 182 is located below an opening 283 elongated horizontally along this box and made in the plate 92 of the box 90 to allow the introduction of banknotes into the box 35 at the exit of a manipulator, not shown, placed screw opposite opening 283.

When the roller 230 is brought back from the indexing position determined by the tongues 270, 272 towards the surface 260 at the bend in the groove 262, the pivoting of the front 45 of the box 35 towards the transfer position (fig. 8B ) is accompanied by the progressive closing of the cover by pressing on the roller 280, which rolls while keeping the cover closed until the box 35 engages in the tunnel 34. From this moment, the cover is maintained closed by the engagement of a shoe 284 (fig. 4), fixed to the upper part of the plate 192, with the upper wall of the sheath 95 defining the tunnel 34.

When the box 35 pivots anti-clockwise (fig. 2) beyond the indexing position III, the roller 230 rolls towards the bottom of the arcuate portion 268 of the groove 262 until it meets a new tongue 286 biased by a spring 287.

In this position, corresponding to position IV in FIG. 1, 35 (IV) in fig. 2, and in the position of FIG. 8E, the box is tilted to the maximum and the floor 184 is then very inclined towards the front 45, the cover 50 being open, to allow the evacuation by gravity of any object therein. A microswitch S4, normally at 1, is actuated by the lifting of the tongue 286 by the roller 230 and delivers a signal S4 = 0.

To return the box from position IV to position III, it suffices to control the motor 38 in the opposite direction. Thus, the only control of the direction of travel of this engine (direction 1 towards the slot 20 and direction 2 towards the trunk 24) and of the on / off state of the engine makes it possible to move the conveyor between its various positions I to IV, according to cycles which will now be reviewed.

A microswitch Sv is placed in the tunnel 34, at the passage 29, to automatically control the change of speed of the motor to drive the box 35 in this tunnel at a higher speed than when it is in the lower part 32 of the conveyor 30.

The console 14 (fig. 1) has control buttons, such as a button 16, for controlling a ticket distribution and a button 18 for controlling the deposit of securities. These buttons 16 and 18 are respectively connected to the inputs 292 and 294 of a logic, or control unit; 290 which has two outputs 296 and 298 connected to the supply terminals 39 of the motor 38, so as to allow the latter to be controlled in one direction or the other, at will. The control unit 290 also receives signals from the sensors Sj, S2, S3, S4 on its inputs 301 to 304, and signals from the optical sensors OP1 and OP2 on its inputs 306 and 307.

The control unit 290 performs a certain number of logic functions which will be described below. It can be constituted either by logic circuit, or by a suitably programmed microprocessor, according to techniques well known to those skilled in the art, in the presence of the explanations which will follow.

The table below establishes the correspondence between the various positions of the box 35 (I to IV) and the sensors S and OP intervening in each of these positions.

Sensors

Presence

of banknotes positions

I = exit position of the banknotes

Yes

OP1

II = deposit position s2

OP1

III = rest position

S3

OP2

IV = rejection position

S *

-

By convention, the output signals of the sensor of index n, Sn, are taken equal to 0 when the box 35 is in the position corresponding to n.

The output of the OP sensor is different from 0 if tickets are present in the box at the place interested by this sensor.

The directions of the motor 38 are identified by direction 1 from the rear of the trunk 24 towards the eyelid 22 and by direction 2 from the eyelid 22 towards the trunk 24.

Fig. 9 illustrates the operating cycle of the ticket distribution. This cycle includes a step, represented by box 350, corresponding to a triggering under the action of button 16 of the desk 14. Logic 290 first determines the state of box 35 by checking whether S3 = 0 (horizontal box in position III) and if OP2 = 0 (empty box), as indicated by decision element 352 of the flow diagram of FIG. 9. If the answer is negative, the logic proceeds to an error code (box 354). In the event of an affirmative response, it controls a banknote manipulator, not shown, allowing the

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storage of a predetermined number of tickets in the box 35, these tickets falling into the upper part thereof, the cover of which is open (box 356). An error detection element (box 358) directs the logic to error code 354, if applicable; if not, this logic proceeds by checking the indication of the sensor OP2 and, if OP2 is equal to 1 (box 360), triggers the starting of the motor 38, in the direction 1 (box 362); if not, it also proceeds to error code 354. After starting the engine, a decision element 364 monitors the signal Sj. As long as S, is not equal to 0, the logic proceeds to an element 366 determining whether a predetermined time delay has been exceeded and, if so, proceeds to the error code 354 or, if not, recirculates to element 364 to recheck the state of the sensor Sj. When the sensor Sj becomes equal to 0 before the end of the time delay fixed by element 366, its output commands the engine to stop (box 368), followed by a check of the state of the sensor OP1 (element 370) . If the sensor is not at 0 (signifying that the tickets present in the box 35 have not been taken), the logic determines whether a determined timeout has been exceeded (decision element 372) and, if not, recirculates to the 'element 370. On the contrary, in the affirmative, it goes towards the error code 354. If the tickets have been taken (affirmative exit from element 370) or if an error code has been displayed, the logic proceeds to a rejection cycle (item 374), illustrated below with reference to fig. 11, then the cycle ends (element 376).

The deposit procedure is illustrated in fig. 10. It begins with the action of button 18 on the console 14 (start box 380) to verify that the box 35 is indeed horizontal (S3 = 0) and empty (OP2 = 0) by the decision element 382. In the negative, an error code 384 is carried out and, if it is, the motor is started in direction 1 (element 386); then the state of the position sensor S2 (element 388) is examined for a time determined by a fixed time delay (decision element 390). If the signal S2 does not go to 0 during this time delay, the logic proceeds to an error code 392. On the other hand, in the opposite case, the engine is stopped (box 394). Next, the OPx sensor is monitored (element 396) with a predetermined time delay (box 398). If, after this time, the OP! has not detected a deposit, the logic proceeds to the error code element 384. In the opposite case, it performs a rejection cycle with closing of the eyelid 22 and removal of the box 35 (element 400). If no object has been deposited at the end of the time delay (element 398), error code 384 also triggers the rejection cycle 400, as shown in fig. 10. If it is the error code 392 which was displayed by exceeding the time delay associated with the monitoring of the position sensor S2, the end of the cycle (box 402) is declared after having indicated an error code and carried out a cycle of rejection (box 400).

The two cycles of ticket distribution (fig. 9) and of the deposit of securities (fig. 10) end with a rejection cycle comprising the 5 recoil of the box 35 towards the interior of the trunk, with corresponding closure of the eyelid and evacuation cycle of the contents of the box towards the interior of the trunk (passage to position IV) before returning to the rest position III. This rejection cycle is also implemented when several fault situations or abnormal functioning are detected (error codes 354, 384).

These various situations trigger the start of the cycle (box 410) which starts the motor control in direction 2 (box 412), followed by a check of the state of the sensor S4 (box 414). Thus, the motor is kept running until the box 35 has moved back 15 over the entire length of the rail 100 and has turned over the entire length of the groove arc 268. If the position at the bottom of this arc n 'is not reached at the end of a determined time delay (decision element 416), an error code is displayed (element 418); otherwise, it is recirculated to element 414 at the affirmative output from which the engine is stopped (element 419). The box 35 is then in position IV, and the objects therein flow by gravity inside the trunk. This engine stop is followed by restarting in the opposite direction (direction 1, element 420), followed by a scan of the state of the sensor S3 (decision element 422) for a shorter period or equal to a predetermined time delay implemented by element 424. If this time delay is exceeded, the error code 418 is displayed. Otherwise, the engine is stopped (element 426) when the sensor S3 has detected the return of the box 35 in position III.

30 In this position, the signal from the OP2 sensor (element 428) is checked. If this sensor indicates that the transporter is empty, the cycle is ended (box 430). Otherwise, a new rejection cycle is carried out (decision element 432), as long as the number of rejection tests remains less than a predetermined number n (negative output of element 432). If the number of tries is equal to n, that is to say if it has not been possible to eliminate the content of the box 35 after n rejection cycles, an error code 434 is displayed before to end the program. The display of error code 418 also leads to the end of the cycle.

40 The rejection cycle of fig. 11, when it is triggered at the end of the ticket distribution cycle of FIG. 9 by the affirmative output of the time delay element 372, corresponds to a confiscation of the tickets presented at the slot 20 if they have not been withdrawn by the user after the time corresponding to this time delay.

R

11 sheets of drawings

Claims (22)

647299 1. Automatic teller machine comprising a safe (24) for sheltering valuables, a wall (12) between the safe and a use area, having an orifice (20), and a conveyor (30) connecting said orifice and the interior of the trunk (24), characterized in that this conveyor is suitable for conveying, by the same passage through the trunk, objects from this trunk, for distribution by said orifice ( 20), and objects deposited by this orifice towards the trunk (24), with a view to their sheltering therein, means (290) for controlling this conveyor being provided to cause l delivery of objects loaded on this conveyor (30) in the trunk (24) to said orifice (20) in response to a distribution order from the area of use and to cause the routing in the trunk objects deposited on this transporter by said orifice in response to a deposit order from the area of use. 2. Automatic teller machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the control means are suitable for causing a return trip of this conveyor (35) between a position (III) inside the trunk and a position (I) at the orifice, in response to a distribution order, and a round trip of this transporter between a position (II) at the orifice and a position inside the trunk, in response to a deposit order. 2 3 647299 3. Automatic teller machine according to claim 2, characterized in that said positions (I and II) at the orifice are distinct. 4. ATM according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it further comprises a shutter (22) of the orifice (20) in said wall (12) and control means (162 ) of this shutter to release said orifice in response to a distribution order and in response to a deposit order. 5 5. Automatic teller machine according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the transporter is able to occupy a first stop position (III) inside the boot (24), for its loading, and a second stop position (I), for the presentation of objects at the orifice (20), and that it has means (OP1) for detecting the withdrawal of the objects presented at the orifice and means for controlling the movement of the transporter from its second position to its first position when the removal of said objects has been detected. 6. ATM according to claim 5, characterized in that it further comprises means (290) for controlling the return of the carrier from its second position (I) to its first. position (III) if the objects presented have not been removed after a predetermined period of time. 7. ATM according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the conveyor (35) is capable of occupying a first position (III) waiting inside the trunk and a second position (II) d 'stop, for the deposit of objects at the orifice, and that it also has means suitable for controlling the advance of the transporter from its first to its second position, in response to a deposit order, and means for controlling the return of the transporter from its second position (II) to its first position (III), in response to a detection of a deposit of objects by said orifice. 8. Automatic teller machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transporter has two separate loading and unloading positions (III and IV) respectively inside the boot. 9. Automatic teller machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the transporter comprises a box (35) suitable for receiving objects and transfer means (100, 110, 38) for moving this box according to back and forth movements. in the opposite direction between the interior of the trunk and said orifice. 10 10. Automatic teller machine according to claim 9, characterized in that the box is capable of assuming separate load (III) and discharge (IV) positions inside the trunk. 11. Automatic teller machine according to claim 10, characterized in that the unloading position (IV) is a tilted position capable of causing the unloading of the box by gravity. 12. Automatic teller machine according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the box is suitable for grouping inside the trunk of objects from a loading device, in order to allow distribution grouped such objects at the orifice. 13. ATM according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the control means are adapted to cause the displacement of the box between the interior of the trunk (24) and the orifice, for the distribution of objects loaded in this box inside the trunk, and the automatic return of the box inside said trunk after removal of said objects. 14. ATM according to one of claims 10 or 11, characterized in that the control means (290) of said transfer means (38) are capable of causing the displacement of the box between the interior of the trunk and the orifice, for depositing objects in this box through said orifice, and the return of the box inside the trunk in said discharge position. 15 15. Automatic teller machine according to one of claims 9 to 14, characterized in that the control means comprise means (290) suitable for controlling the execution of a cycle in response to a distribution order comprising a loading phase of the box, a phase of advancing the box from the interior of the trunk to the orifice, a phase of retreating of the box from the orifice to the interior of the trunk and a phase of unloading the box from the interior of the trunk, and means (290) suitable for controlling the execution by the transporter of a cycle, in response to a deposit order, comprising a phase of advance of the box between the interior of the trunk and the orifice for the deposit of objects, a phase of recoil of this box towards the inside of the trunk and a phase of unloading of the box inside of it. 16. Automatic teller machine according to one of claims 9 to 15, characterized in that the box has a clean front outlet (45), during the movement of the box, to come to appear opposite said orifice (20). 17. Automatic teller machine according to claims 10 and 16, characterized in that said box is capable of tilting inside the trunk in its discharge position (IV) by orienting said outlet (45) downwards. 18. ATM according to one of claims 16 or 17, characterized in that said box comprises a pusher (56), on the side opposite its outlet (45), suitable for advancing objects, through said outlet, when it reaches opposite said orifice with a view to their distribution. 19. Automatic teller machine according to one of claims 16 to 18, characterized in that the box has a generally flattened shape and has an opening (54) at its upper part for loading objects suitable for being stacked in the box, a cover (50) for closing said orifice and means (190,280) for keeping this cover open in the loaded position of the box and closed during the movements of the latter between the interior of the trunk and the orifice. 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 20. Automatic teller machine according to one of claims 9 to 19, characterized in that the means for transferring the box include a motor (38) and transmission and guide means (100,110,140) for controlling the movements of said box between its various positions by the sole control of the state and direction of operation of said engine. 21. Automatic teller machine according to claim 20, characterized in that the transmission and guiding means comprise a carriage (110) on which the box (35) is pivotally mounted around a horizontal axis (42), guiding means (232, 234, 262) of the movement of this carriage in translation and of the movement of this rotating box, and an endless belt (140) for driving the carriage and the box, said guide means being capable of selectively blocking the rotation of the box, when the carriage is driven in translation between the interior of the trunk and the orifice, and to allow the rotation of this box, when the translation of the carriage is blocked, between at least one transfer position and one discharge position inside said trunk. 22. Automatic teller machine according to one of claims 9 to 21, in which the orifice is normally closed by an eyelid, characterized in that this eyelid is operated directly by the movement of said box.