EP1577855B1 - Geldautomat, der Banknoten und andere Bankpapiere ausgibt, annimmt und speichert - Google Patents

Geldautomat, der Banknoten und andere Bankpapiere ausgibt, annimmt und speichert Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1577855B1
EP1577855B1 EP05013414A EP05013414A EP1577855B1 EP 1577855 B1 EP1577855 B1 EP 1577855B1 EP 05013414 A EP05013414 A EP 05013414A EP 05013414 A EP05013414 A EP 05013414A EP 1577855 B1 EP1577855 B1 EP 1577855B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
sheet
stripper
stack
machine
picking member
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP05013414A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1577855A3 (de
EP1577855A2 (de
Inventor
Zachary Utz
Daniel Schoeffler
Shawn Griggy
Nat Ramachandran
Thomas H. Graef
Patrick Nevejans
Gert Klessens
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Diebold Nixdorf Inc
Original Assignee
Diebold Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Diebold Inc filed Critical Diebold Inc
Priority claimed from EP03779132A external-priority patent/EP1559046A4/de
Publication of EP1577855A2 publication Critical patent/EP1577855A2/de
Publication of EP1577855A3 publication Critical patent/EP1577855A3/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1577855B1 publication Critical patent/EP1577855B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F19/00—Complete banking systems; Coded card-freed arrangements adapted for dispensing or receiving monies or the like and posting such transactions to existing accounts, e.g. automatic teller machines
    • G07F19/20—Automatic teller machines [ATMs]
    • G07F19/202—Depositing operations within ATMs
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H29/00—Delivering or advancing articles from machines; Advancing articles to or into piles
    • B65H29/38—Delivering or advancing articles from machines; Advancing articles to or into piles by movable piling or advancing arms, frames, plates, or like members with which the articles are maintained in face contact
    • B65H29/40—Members rotated about an axis perpendicular to direction of article movement, e.g. star-wheels formed by S-shaped members
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H3/00—Separating articles from piles
    • B65H3/02—Separating articles from piles using friction forces between articles and separator
    • B65H3/06—Rollers or like rotary separators
    • B65H3/0676—Rollers or like rotary separators with two or more separator rollers in the feeding direction
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H3/00—Separating articles from piles
    • B65H3/46—Supplementary devices or measures to assist separation or prevent double feed
    • B65H3/52—Friction retainers acting on under or rear side of article being separated
    • B65H3/5246—Driven retainers, i.e. the motion thereof being provided by a dedicated drive
    • B65H3/5276—Driven retainers, i.e. the motion thereof being provided by a dedicated drive the retainers positioned over articles separated from the bottom of the pile
    • B65H3/5284—Retainers of the roller type, e.g. rollers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H31/00—Pile receivers
    • B65H31/04—Pile receivers with movable end support arranged to recede as pile accumulates
    • B65H31/06—Pile receivers with movable end support arranged to recede as pile accumulates the articles being piled on edge
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H7/00—Controlling article feeding, separating, pile-advancing, or associated apparatus, to take account of incorrect feeding, absence of articles, or presence of faulty articles
    • B65H7/02—Controlling article feeding, separating, pile-advancing, or associated apparatus, to take account of incorrect feeding, absence of articles, or presence of faulty articles by feelers or detectors
    • B65H7/06—Controlling article feeding, separating, pile-advancing, or associated apparatus, to take account of incorrect feeding, absence of articles, or presence of faulty articles by feelers or detectors responsive to presence of faulty articles or incorrect separation or feed
    • B65H7/12—Controlling article feeding, separating, pile-advancing, or associated apparatus, to take account of incorrect feeding, absence of articles, or presence of faulty articles by feelers or detectors responsive to presence of faulty articles or incorrect separation or feed responsive to double feed or separation
    • B65H7/125—Controlling article feeding, separating, pile-advancing, or associated apparatus, to take account of incorrect feeding, absence of articles, or presence of faulty articles by feelers or detectors responsive to presence of faulty articles or incorrect separation or feed responsive to double feed or separation sensing the double feed or separation without contacting the articles
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F19/00—Complete banking systems; Coded card-freed arrangements adapted for dispensing or receiving monies or the like and posting such transactions to existing accounts, e.g. automatic teller machines
    • G07F19/20—Automatic teller machines [ATMs]
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2404/00—Parts for transporting or guiding the handled material
    • B65H2404/10—Rollers
    • B65H2404/13—Details of longitudinal profile
    • B65H2404/131—Details of longitudinal profile shape
    • B65H2404/1316—Details of longitudinal profile shape stepped or grooved
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2404/00—Parts for transporting or guiding the handled material
    • B65H2404/10—Rollers
    • B65H2404/14—Roller pairs
    • B65H2404/141—Roller pairs with particular shape of cross profile
    • B65H2404/1415—Roller pairs with particular shape of cross profile with male / female profiles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2404/00—Parts for transporting or guiding the handled material
    • B65H2404/60—Other elements in face contact with handled material
    • B65H2404/65—Other elements in face contact with handled material rotating around an axis parallel to face of material and perpendicular to transport direction, e.g. star wheel
    • B65H2404/651—Other elements in face contact with handled material rotating around an axis parallel to face of material and perpendicular to transport direction, e.g. star wheel having at least one element, e.g. stacker/inverter

Definitions

  • This invention relates to automated banking machines. Specifically this invention relates to automated banking machines that have the capability of receiving financial instrument sheets such as notes, checks and other documents from users. This invention also relates to automated banking machines that dispense financial instrument sheets to users of the machines.
  • ATMs enable customers to carry out banking transactions. Banking transactions carried out using ATMs may include the dispensing of cash, the making of deposits, the transfer of funds between account and account balance inquiries.
  • banking transactions a customer can carry out are determined by the capabilities of the particular banking machine and the programming of the institution operating the machine.
  • automated banking machines may be operated by merchants to carry out commercial transactions. These transactions may include, for example, the acceptance of deposit bags, the receipt of checks or other financial instruments, the dispensing of rolled coin or other transactions required by merchants. Still other types of automated banking machines may be used by service providers in a transaction environment such as at a bank to carry out financial transactions. Such transactions may include for example, the counting and storage of currency notes or other financial instrument sheets, the dispensing of notes or other sheets, the imaging of checks or other financial instruments, and other types of service provider transactions. For purposes of this disclosure an automated banking machine shall be deemed to include any machine that may be used to carry out transactions involving transfers of value.
  • Such sheets may include for example, notes, checks or other documents that are representative of value.
  • the financial instrument sheets may have varying properties from sheet to sheet. For example some sheets may be new and crisp while others that are equally valid may be used and worn.
  • financial instrument sheets may be of different types which have different properties. These may include for example combinations of documents such as notes and checks which may be comprised of different types of paper or plastic materials. Mechanisms which may separate each individual sheet from a stack rapidly and reliably, particularly in situations where the sheets have diverse properties, present challenges.
  • Automated banking machines are often positioned in locations that are sometimes unattended by bank officials or representatives of other entities owning the machines. In such cases security features are desirable to make it more difficult for criminals to attack the machine and attain access to the valuable financial instrument sheets that may be housed therein.
  • Some automated banking machines are operated under conditions where they are exposed to the elements. In such situations rain or snow may enter openings in the machine and cause problems. This may be particularly true of sensitive mechanisms within the machine that handle financial instrument sheets.
  • Automated banking machines are useful because they perform banking functions in a generally rapid and reliable manner. However there are situations where machines must go out of service for preventive maintenance or remedial service. In such cases it is desirable to enable an unauthorized servicer to complete the maintenance activity as expeditiously as possible. This is desirably done by enabling ready access to the interior of the machine authorized servicers while minimizing the risk of unauthorized access by criminals.
  • US 2002/085245 describes a document feeding apparatus for use with a document processing device.
  • the document feeding apparatus comprises an input receptacle adapted to receive a stack of documents and at least one feeding wheel adapted to strip documents, one at a time, from the stack of documents.
  • the feeding wheel includes a moveable insert having a high friction surface adapted to engage and to advance each of the documents.
  • an automated banking machine there can be provided an automated banking machine.
  • an automated banking machine that has improved capabilities for handling financial instrument sheets.
  • an automated banking machine which provides enhanced security.
  • an automated banking machine that facilitates user operation.
  • an automated banking machine that has improved weather resistance.
  • an automated banking machine that provides improved service access.
  • an automated banking machine which is an automated teller machine ("ATM").
  • the ATM includes a user interface which includes input devices for receiving identifying inputs that identify user accounts, as well as inputs from users that cause the machine to carry out transaction functions.
  • the user interface further includes one or more output devices that output indicia such as instructions for a user in operating the machine.
  • One embodiment includes a cash acceptor mechanism that is capable of receiving a stack of documents from a user.
  • the stack of documents may include a stack of notes of various denominations or a stack comprising mixed types of financial instrument sheets such as notes and checks.
  • one embodiment includes a mechanism which operates to separate each sheet individually from the stack. This is accomplished through movement of a picking member which includes a plurality of sheet engaging portions which engage a first sheet bounding the stack and urge the sheet to move in a first direction.
  • the sheet engaging portions are separated by recesses which extend along the first direction.
  • a first stripper portion is generally aligned with at least one recess.
  • the first stripper portion engages the first sheet on a face thereof opposed from the face of the sheet engaged by the sheet engaging portions.
  • This first stripper portion is generally not in a contacting stripping engagement with the picking member, and remains disposed therefrom a sufficient distance to enable the first sheet to
  • a second stripper portion is provided and is engaged by the first sheet as it moves in the first direction after the sheet has been engaged by the first stripper portion.
  • the second stripper portion is generally engaged in contacting stripping engagement with the picking member.
  • the second stripper portion is biased toward the picking member with such force that sheets other than the first sheet moving in the first direction are prevented from moving past the second stripper portion while the first sheet is enabled to pass between the picking member and the second stripper portion.
  • the relative movement of the picking member in stripping engagement with the second stripper portion is operative in most cases to separate additional sheets from the first sheet that have not been separated by the first stripper portion.
  • financial instrument sheets may have different frictional and rigidity properties from sheet to sheet. For this reason the sheets that are not separated by the action of the picking member and the first stripper portion, will often be separated by the action of the picking member and the second stripper portion.
  • the picking member comprises a generally cylindrical member with arcuate high friction segments thereon for engaging the sheet.
  • the high friction segments in the exemplary embodiment are separated by annular recesses.
  • the first stripper portion includes a surface of a plurality of rollers that are positioned in generally opposed but non-contacting engagement with the annular recesses.
  • the first stripper rollers in the exemplary embodiment are each in operative connection with a one-way clutch which resists movement of the rollers in a rotational direction in which the rollers are urged to move as the first sheet is being separated by the stack.
  • the one-way clutches enable ready movement of the sheet in the opposite direction so as to return a sheet to the stack.
  • the second stripper portion includes a surface of at least one contacting stripper roll that is biased into stripping engagement with a sheet engaging portion of the picking member.
  • the contacting stripper roll is similarly in operative connection with a one-way clutch so as to resist movement of the sheet being removed from the stack to provide stripping while enabling movement of the sheet to return to the stack. It should be understood, however, that this arrangement is an example, and in other embodiments other approaches may be used.
  • the ATM further includes a housing.
  • the housing includes a fascia which includes elements of the user interface and which extends through an exterior wall of a structure.
  • the ATM housing within the structure includes a secure chest portion in a lower part of the housing.
  • the chest is a generally L-shaped chest in cross section.
  • the L-shaped chest has a sheet accepting mechanism such as a cash acceptor device positioned in supporting connection with the chest.
  • the cash accepting mechanism is operative to analyze sheets that have been separated from the stack by operation of the picking member and stripper portions, and to direct sheets that are to be stored in the machine into the chest portion through an opening in an upper surface of the chest.
  • the cash accepting mechanism is movably mounted in supporting connection with the chest so that when a service door of the housing is opened, the cash acceptor mechanism may be moved rearward for purposes of servicing.
  • the cash accepting mechanism is positioned outside the secure chest and may be moved to expose the opening, provisions are made for minimizing the risk that criminals may access the financial instrument sheets in the chest through the cash accepting opening.
  • This is accomplished in one embodiment by providing a transport which moves financial instrument sheets transported into the chest from the cash acceptor, in a direction transverse to the cash accepting opening in the chest. After moving transversely relative to the cash accepting opening, the sheets are then transported to a note storage mechanism that may be comprised of storage compartments or other mechanisms for handling the sheets.
  • a security plate is provided in intermediate relation between the transport which moves the sheets transversely from the opening of the chest, and the note storage mechanism. The security plate reduces the ability of a criminal to access stored sheets through the cash accepting opening.
  • the driving force for the transport is provided by engagement of a driving member of the cash acceptor mechanism with a driven member through the cash accepting opening.
  • the presence of these members within the opening further obstructs the opening and reduces the risk that a criminal will be able to access stored financial instrument sheets.
  • the cash accepting mechanism is provided with a chute for receiving stacks of documents from the user.
  • the opening to the chute is controlled by a gate.
  • a water capturing opening is provided in a lower surface of the interior of the chute. The water capturing opening is operative to capture moisture that may enter the chute and the collected moisture is routed in one embodiment to a drain to that is in fluid communication with the outside of the machine housing.
  • the drain is provided through a lower surface of the fascia.
  • a resilient gasket is provided in generally surrounding relation with the chute and interiorly of the fascia. In the operative position of the cash acceptor mechanism the resilient gasket provides a generally fluid type seal such that water, snow or other elements are not enabled to migrate into the interior of the housing through the opening in the fascia through which the chute extends in its operative position.
  • the cash acceptor mechanism is operative to store unacceptable sheets such as suspected counterfeit notes in a suspect note storage area outside the secure chest.
  • unacceptable sheets such as suspected counterfeit notes in a suspect note storage area outside the secure chest.
  • authorized servicers who have access to the area of the housing outside the secure chest are enabled to remove these unacceptable sheets.
  • a readily accessible closure device is provided to facilitate the removal of these suspect sheets by authorized persons.
  • locking mechanisms may be provided not only for the housing area outside the secure chest, but also a separate locking mechanism for the particular compartment in which the unacceptable sheets are stored. This assures that the-unacceptable sheets are only accessed by authorized persons while still assuring that other authorized persons can access appropriate machine components without accessing the stored unacceptable sheets.
  • the cash acceptor mechanism further includes closure panels which generally surround the components within the mechanism. These closure panels when in the operative position reduce the risk of migration of dirt or other contaminants into the mechanism they also reduce the risk of inadvertent damage to the mechanism when other components are being serviced.
  • these closure panels are made readily openable through hinged or sliding arrangements that enable the panels to be opened when the mechanism is in a servicing position.
  • an approach is used for mounting closure panels to facilitate gaining access to the components of the cash accepting module, while assuring that the panels will be replaced upon completion of any repair activity. This assures that the benefits provided by the closure panels are not inadvertently lost due to the failure to reinstall such panels after the completion of the servicing activity.
  • currency sheets accepted by the cash acceptor mechanism are stored in selected compartments. This enables storing of each type of sheet in a particular compartment.
  • mechanisms are provided for re-dispensing such sheets from the compartment so as to enable recycling of valid sheets.
  • sheets that have been validated by the cash accepting mechanism are stored in one or more storage containers.
  • the storage containers include an interior area which is bounded at the lower end by a moveable shaker member. The shaker member supports deposited sheets in the interior area.
  • An actuator is in operative connection with the shaker member so as to impart shaking action to the deposited items within the interior of the container. This facilitates the dispersal and settling of the items so as to facilitate storing the maximum number of items in the container.
  • the container is removable from the machine.
  • the container includes rollable supports and a retractable handle so as to facilitate moving the container out of and away from the machine when it has been filled with deposit items.
  • the user interface includes multicolor light emitting devices so as to facilitate a user's operation of the machine.
  • the light emitting devices are selectively controlled by at least one controller in the machine to emit light of a selected color responsive to conditions of associated transaction function devices.
  • the controller may operate to guide a user to a location on the user interface where the user is required to perform some activity related to a transaction.
  • the light emitting devices selectively emit green, yellow and red and may be operated to indicate a status or condition of a particular device.
  • light emitting devices may flash the same or different colors at varying rates so as to convey information or facilitate use of the machine.
  • the user interface of the machine is provided with horizontally disposed convex mirrors positioned vertically above the user interface. Such mirrors are positioned so as to facilitate the ability of a user of the machine to view an area behind and otherwise near the user. This reduces the risk of persons in proximity to the user not being observed by the user carrying out transactions at the machine.
  • the horizontally disposed convex mirrors are further positioned outward relative to a light which illuminates the user interface to facilitate the user's operation. This reduces the risk of glare and facilitates the user's ability to view the area observable in the mirrors.
  • ATM 10 is a through-the-wall type machine which includes a fascia 12. Fascia 12 is accessible to users of the machine who are positioned externally of the wall 14.
  • wall 14 may be an exterior building wall and ATM 10 may be used in a walk-up or drive-up environment.
  • the ATM may be used in an indoor environment.
  • this configuration is exemplary and in other embodiments, other types of ATM configurations may be used.
  • the exemplary ATM includes a user interface generally indicated 15.
  • the user interface of the exemplary embodiment includes input devices for receiving inputs from users. These input devices include a card reader 16, a keypad 18, function keys 20 and an imaging device 22.
  • the input devices may be used for providing identifying inputs such as indicia read from cards, numerical data or biometric data which may be used to identify a particular user of the machine and/or their accounts.
  • the exemplary input devices are also operative to receive transaction inputs which cause the ATM to carry out selected transaction functions. It should be understood that these input devices are exemplary and in other embodiments other types of input devices may be used.
  • the exemplary user interface 15 further includes output devices.
  • the output devices of the exemplary embodiment include a display 24, a speaker 26 and a headphone jack 28.
  • the output devices of the exemplary embodiment are operative to output indicia either visual, audible or both, which are usable to operate the ATM.
  • the output devices shown in user interface 15 are exemplary and in other embodiments other or additional output devices may be used.
  • the exemplary ATM 10 further includes other transaction function devices.
  • These transaction function devices include a receipt printer 30 which is operative to provide receipts to users of the machine.
  • the receipt printer includes a paper supply 32 which supplies paper on which receipts are printed by a printer mechanism 34. Printed receipts are then transported to the receipt opening in the fascia 12 by a transport 36.
  • the receipt printer used may be of the type shown in U.S. Patent No. 5,850,075 .
  • the exemplary ATM 10 includes on the fascia as shown in Figure 1 , a cash dispensing opening 38 and a cash accepting opening 40. Each of these openings is in operative connection with corresponding transaction function devices as later discussed, and each has an associated gate mechanism which operates to block access through the opening except at appropriate times during transactions by authorized users.
  • the cash dispensing opening is shown controlled by a gate 42 and the cash accepting opening is controlled by a gate 44.
  • the fascia and devices associated with ATM. 10 are exemplary and in other embodiments other or different fascia configurations and devices may be used.
  • the user interface of the machine includes a plurality of multicolor light emitting devices 17, 31, 41, 43 and 45.
  • Each of the light emitting devices is positioned at a location adjacent to the location on the user interface which is associated with a particular transaction function device.
  • light emitting device 17 is positioned adjacent to the opening to card reader 16.
  • light emitting device 31 is positioned adjacent to the slot for delivery of receipts.
  • light emitting device 41 is associated with cash-accepting opening 40
  • light emitting device 43 is associated with cash-dispensing opening 38.
  • the multicolor light emitting devices are selectively operated to output light of a particular color responsive to conditions of the associated transaction function device. Such features may be used to guide a user in operation of the machine, provide indications concerning the status of devices, alert a user to particular conditions, or provide improved aesthetics for the machine.
  • ATM 10 includes a housing 46 which extends generally on an interior side of wall 14.
  • Housing 46 includes a chest portion 48.
  • chest portion 48 is a generally secure chest which has a safe-like access door 50. Access to the interior of the chest portion is limited to authorized personnel through a suitable locking mechanism schematically indicated 52 (see Figure 3 ).
  • the chest is generally L-shaped in cross section.
  • Housing 46 further includes an upper portion 54.
  • Upper housing portion 54 which is in connection with the fascia, is in supporting connection with the chest portion 48.
  • upper housing portion 54 has in association therewith, access doors 56 and 58. Access to the upper housing portion is controlled by one or more locking mechanisms in operative connection with access doors 56 and 58 as represented by key locks 60 and 62.
  • the secure chest portion 48 is used to house financial instrument sheets such as currency notes, checks and other valuable sheets.
  • the upper housing portion 54 is generally used to house components of the machine that do not hold on an extended basis notes or other financial instrument documents which can be redeemed for value.
  • the construction of ATM 10 is exemplary and in other embodimnents other approaches may be used.
  • ATM 10 includes at least one controller schematically indicated 64.
  • controller 64 includes at least one processor and is in operative connection with at least one data store schematically indicated 66.
  • the data store is operative to hold data representative of instructions such as computer programs, configuration parameters, data about transactions conducted and other information that may be usable in the operation of the ATM 10.
  • Controller 64 is in operative connection with numerous transaction function devices within the ATM, and is operative to control the operation thereof in accordance with its programming. Controller 64 is shown schematically in operative connection with devices 68, 70 and 72. It should be understood that this representation is schematic only and is intended merely to represent numerous components within the machine which are in operative connection with the controller.
  • the transaction function devices may include moving devices such as motors, solenoids and other devices that are operative to impart motion to components.
  • transaction function devices may include sensors such as radiation sensors, proximity sensors, switches and other types of sensors that are operative to sense items, conditions, properties, characteristics or components within the ATM and to enable a controller to perform functions in accordance with its programming.
  • Transaction function devices include output devices such as sound emitters and light emitting devices.
  • transaction function devices may include the card reader, display, keyboard, function keys, printer, cash dispenser, cash acceptor, storage mechanisms and other devices previously discussed as well as other devices within the machine which are operative in response to the controller.
  • the controller is also in operative connection with a communications device schematically indicated 74.
  • the communications device is operative to communicate messages electronically between the ATM 10 and other computers in financial transaction processing systems. These may include for example communications with systems operated by banks, credit card networks, automated clearinghouses and other entities.
  • the communications device 74 in the ATM 10 is schematically shown as providing communication with a financial institution 76 through a network 78. It should be understood that this communication configuration is exemplary and in other embodiments other communication arrangements may be used.
  • the housing 46 houses a sheet acceptor mechanism 80 which is also referred to herein as a cash acceptor mechanism.
  • the mechanism 80 is operative to accept sheets from a machine user through the opening 40, to analyze each sheet for at least one property or characteristic, and to route the sheets selectively for storage within the housing of the machine based on the characteristics analyzed.
  • these sheets may include currency notes, checks or other financial instrument sheets.
  • the financial instrument sheets may be sheets comprised of different types of material such as paper, plastic or combinations thereof.
  • references herein to a cash acceptor mechanism shall be deemed to encompass mechanisms which handle not only currency notes, but also other financial instrument sheets such as checks, money orders, gift certificates, vouchers, etc.
  • cash acceptor mechanism 80 includes a chute 82 which extends through opening 40 in fascia 15 in its operative condition. As previously discussed the user accessible opening to chute 82 is controlled by a movable gate 44. Gate 44 moves responsive to the controller 64 and enables authorized users to access the chute at appropriate times during transaction sequences.
  • the stack 84 may comprise currency notes, checks or other forms of financial instrument sheets.
  • the validator device 88 of the exemplary embodiment is operative to determine at least one characteristic of each sheet. This may include for example a determination as to whether the sheet is a note or check and if a note, the denomination and whether it is valid. If the document is a check, a determination may be made as to whether the check is genuine as well as the indicia associated with the maker of the check and the amount thereof.
  • the validating device may be of the type shown in U.S. Patent No. 5,923,415 .
  • a validating device having features disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 6,554,185 may be used.
  • other types of validating devices such as imagers, readers, sensors and combinations thereof may be used.
  • the sheet accepting device may be operative to image instruments such as checks and provide data which can be stored and transmitted as an electronic reproduction of that check. In such circumstances an electronic reproduction of the check may be transmitted to remote locations so as to facilitate review and validation of the check.
  • the electronic representation of the check may serve as a substitute for the physical paper check which thereafter enables the paper check to be cancelled and subsequently destroyed.
  • sheets which have been analyzed through operation of the validator device 88 are moved through a transport 90 to a routing device 92.
  • the routing device is operative responsive to the controller 64 to route sheets selectively to either an escrow device 94 or to a transport 96.
  • Escrow device 94 generally operates to hold sheets in storage on a temporary basis.
  • Such an escrow device may be of the type shown in U.S. Patent No. 6,371,368 , the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.
  • Escrow device 94 may be operative to accept sheets and store them. Thereafter responsive to operation of the controller 64 the escrow device may deliver those sheets to the routing device 92 which directs them along sheet paths in the machine to carry out transactions.
  • the escrow device shown is exemplary and in other embodiments other types of escrow devices may be used.
  • transport 96 is used to receive unacceptable sheets which have characteristics that do not satisfy certain parameters set by the machine. These may include for example, notes which have one or more characteristics which suggest that they are counterfeit. In other embodiments such sheets may include checks which have properties which suggest that they are reproductions or forged or otherwise unacceptable. Of course in other embodiments other sheets may be deemed unacceptable.
  • sheet acceptor mechanism 80 is operated to cause transport 96 to deposit suspect sheets schematically indicated 98 in a storage area 100.
  • the suspect sheets are stored within the cash acceptor mechanism and outside of the secure chest so that they may be recovered by servicing personnel in a manner that is later discussed.
  • this approach is exemplary and in other embodiments other approaches may be used.
  • the cash acceptor mechanism 80 is operative responsive to signals from the controller 64 to cause financial instrument sheets that are determined to be valid or otherwise acceptable, to be directed through a cash accepting opening 102 that extends in an upper surface 104 of the chest.
  • the transport in the cash acceptor mechanism is aligned with the cash accepting opening and a transport 108 that extends into the secure chest.
  • at least one driving member 110 of the transport 106 is in operative connection with a driven member 112 of the transport 108.
  • this enables the cash acceptor mechanism to transmit movement to sheet handling mechanisms within the secure chest and to assure coordinated movement of processed sheets therein.
  • the driving and driven members extend in the cash accepting opening so as to block access therethrough by unauthorized persons as later discussed.
  • the movement of the cash acceptor mechanism from the operative position to a servicing position may include movably mounting the cash acceptor mechanism such that the mechanism moves both upward away from the secure chest so as to disengage the driving and driven members as well as outward for purposes of servicing.
  • movement thereof is made both inward and downward so as to reengage the driving and driven members. This may be accomplished by a combination of slides, rollers or other suitable mechanisms.
  • transport 108 which moves sheets generally in a vertical direction through the cash accepting opening is in operative connection with a horizontal transport schematically indicated 114.
  • the horizontal transport is operative to engage sheets moved into the chest portion and to move them transversely away from the cash accepting opening.
  • the horizontally extending transport 114 is in operative connection with a vertically extending transport 116 which is transversely disposed from the cash accepting opening in the secure chest.
  • Sheet handling mechanisms 118,120,122 and 124 may be sheet stacking mechanisms such as those shown schematically in Figures 5 and 6 .
  • one or more of the sheet handling mechanisms may include sheet receiving and dispensing mechanisms which are operative to selectively accept sheets for storage as well as to dispense sheets therefrom. Examples of sheet accepting and stacking mechanisms as well as sheet accepting, stacking and dispensing mechanisms which may be used in some exemplary embodiments are described in detail in U.S. Patent Nos. 6,302,393 and 6,290,070 ,
  • the exemplary sheet accepting and stacking mechanism 118 is selectively operative to accept a sheet 126 moving in the vertical transport 116.
  • Sheet 126 is guided to engage the sheet handling mechanism 118 through movement of a gate member 128.
  • the gate member moves responsive to the controller 64 to direct the leading edge of the sheet into a recess 130 of a rotatable member 132.
  • the rotatable member 132 rotates in the direction of Arrow R. This causes the gripper portion bounding the recess 130 to move inwardly capturing the sheet 126 therein.
  • Stack 138 may be for example a stack of currency notes all of which are of the same denomination. Of course in other embodiments the stack 138 may be a collection of other types of sheets.
  • the stack is maintained in abutting relation with the rotatable member by a biasing plate 140 which acts against the back of the stack.
  • the biasing plate 140 is movable responsive to a biasing mechanism 142 which is operative to enable the stack to increase or decrease while maintaining the sheets in an appropriately aligned position. Further details related to an exemplary embodiment of the sheet handling mechanism are described in U.S. Patent No. 6,302,393 .
  • Figure 5 further shows the exemplary operation of exemplary sheet handling mechanisms 118 and 120.
  • a sheet 142 moving in transport 116 is enabled to pass the rotatable member 132 when the gate member 128 remains retracted as the sheet passes.
  • This enables the sheet to move to other sheet handling mechanisms such as sheet handling mechanism 120.
  • This arrangement enables sheets having particular characteristics to be stored together, for example, valid currency notes of different denominations to be collected in stacked relation in selected sheet storage areas.
  • sheets of similar types such as checks may be segregated from other financial instrument sheets such as notes or travelers checks.
  • sheets which are to be recycled such as suitable fit currency notes can be segregated from valid yet worn or soiled currency notes which are not suitable for providing to customers. It should be understood that these approaches are exemplary and in other embodiments other approaches may be used.
  • a security plate 144 extends within the secure chest in intermediate relation between the horizontal transport 114 and the note storage mechanism such as the storage area 146 associated with sheet handling mechanism 118.
  • the security plate 144 in the exemplary embodiment is secured within the interior of the secure chest and is adapted to prevent unauthorized access through the cash accepting opening 102 in the chest. This may be accomplished by securing the security plate 144 to the walls bounding the interior of the secure chest or other suitable structures.
  • the upper housing portion 54 houses the sheet acceptor mechanism 80, it is generally easier to access the area housing the sheet acceptor mechanism than the secure chest.
  • FIG. 11 shows greater detail of the cash acceptor mechanism 80 retracted to a servicing position so as to expose the cash accepting opening.
  • the cash acceptor mechanism is movably mounted in supporting connection with the chest portion on suitable slides or other members.
  • the security plate 144 operates to separate the cash accepting opening 102 from the notes or other valuable financial instrument sheets which are stored below the security plate within the secure chest.
  • the security plate is exemplary and other forms of security plates or other structures may be used.
  • the ATM includes a bulk storage container 260 shown in Figure 20 for holding currency bills, notes, checks or other items that have been deposited into the machine.
  • the container 260 includes a top wall 262 with an opening 264 which corresponds to opening 102 in the chest when the container 260 is in the operative position.
  • Container 260 includes a transport 266 which transports items that pass through the opening 264 into an interior area 268 of the container.
  • a horizontal transport 270 is operative to move deposited items transversely away from the opening 264.
  • a security plate 272 is positioned to reduce the risk of unauthorized access to the interior area 258.
  • a further transport 274 is operative to move deposit items such as currency sheet 276 to a suitable location for being dispatched into the interior area 268 below the security plate.
  • Deposited items schematically represented 278 are held within the interior area of the container 260.
  • the container 260 includes a bottom wall 280.
  • the interior area 268 is bounded by a shaker member 282 that is disposed vertically above the bottom wall.
  • the shaker member comprises a resilient flexible membrane 284.
  • a rigid plate 286 extends in underlying relation of a central portion of the membrane.
  • Flexible supports 288 support the rigid plate 286 above the bottom wall 280. The flexible supports further enable movement of the rigid plate and membrane relative to the bottom wall.
  • the rigid supports 288 may include springs or other members which enable relative vertical and/or horizontal movement of the bottom wall and the rigid plate.
  • an actuator 290 extends in intermediate relation between the bottom wall and the rigid plate.
  • the actuator is an electrical vibrating device which is operative to shake the rigid plate and overlying membrane.
  • the shaking action of the actuator 290 is operative to impart shaking motion to the deposited items 278 that are in supporting connection with the membrane. This facilitates the dispersal and settling of deposited items and enables a relatively larger quantity of such items to be collected within the interior area 268 before such items need to be removed.
  • the actuator 290 is electrically connected to the circuitry within the machine through a releasable connector 292. This facilitates removal of the exemplary container as hereafter discussed.
  • the moving devices for transports within the container may be supplied with signals and/or electrical power through the releasable connector.
  • the interior area 268 of the container 260 is in operative connection with the opening 38 in the housing of the machine through which deposited items are accepted.
  • the deposited items are passed through the cash accepting mechanism or other mechanism for processing such items.
  • Items appropriate for deposit in the container are passed through the opening 102 in the top of the chest.
  • Such items are transported by the transports 266, 270 and 274 to the area below the secure plate 272 and accumulate within the interior area 268.
  • the actuator 290 operates to impart shaking motion to the deposited items 278 within the interior area. This facilitates settling of the items so as to densely pack the items therein.
  • Sensors 294 may be included within the interior area so as to sense the deposited items.
  • the controller may be operative to cause the actuator to shake deposited items responsive to the sensing the level of such items by the sensors.
  • the controller may be operative to shake deposited items based on elapsed time, number of items deposited, or other programmable bases.
  • the sensors 294 may be in operative connection with the controller through the releasable connector 292.
  • the exemplary container 260 is removably mounted within the secure chest.
  • the exemplary container is supported on rollable supports 296.
  • the rollable supports 296 may be castors, wheels, ball rollers or other type items that enable more ready movement of the container in a loaded condition.
  • the container 260 upon opening of the secure chest the container 260 is enabled to moved outward from the chest. This is facilitated by a servicer grasping a handle 298 which is attached to the container.
  • the releasable connector 292 is enabled to be disconnected so that the container 260 can be pulled outward from the secure chest.
  • the handle 298 is a telescoping handle that is enabled to be moved upward once the handle has cleared the secure chest.
  • the container may be moved to a suitable location by the handle away from the ATM for purposes of removing the contents.
  • a suitable location may be, for example, an area within a vault or other secure room in which the items within the container may be processed.
  • the container 260 in the exemplary embodiment includes a door 300. Access to door 300 is controlled by one or more locks represented 302.
  • door 300 is shown hinged at a side toward the chest door so as to reduce the risk of persons obtaining unauthorized access to the interior of the container when the container is within the machine.
  • the lock 302 may be unlocked, the door opened, and deposited items removed.
  • the door 300 may be returned to the closed position. Thereafter the container may be reinstalled in the machine with the handle 298 being retracted so as to enable the container to again be aligned with opening 102. Further, the releasable connector 292 may be reconnected so as to again enable operation of the container within the machine.
  • the exemplary container 260 is enabled to hold a substantial quantity of deposited items. Further, the construction including the rollable supports and telescoping handle facilitates movement of the loaded container out of the ATM and the container into the ATM. It should be understood that the container is exemplary and in other embodiments other approaches may be used. These may include, for example and without limitation, containers which include multiple interior areas in which deposited items are supported on shaking members.
  • Such embodiments may achieve, for example, a separation of deposited notes, checks and/or envelopes by denomination or deposit type, and achieve more densely packed storage within a particular interior compartment within the container
  • shaking members may be provided on side walls or on top walls bounding the container so as to facilitate the shaking of deposited items and the packing and storage thereof.
  • containers may be used in some embodiments in conjunction with sheet handling mechanisms such that certain sheets are stored precisely positioned in containers for purposes of stacking and/or recycling while other sheets are stored in bulk within a container or compartment within a container.
  • FIGS 7 through 10 schematically describe an exemplary embodiment of the picker mechanism 86 used in the cash accepting mechanism 80.
  • the stack of sheets 84 is positioned in the chute 82 and is in supporting connection with a generally angled lower surface 148.
  • Moving members 150 and 152 are operative to engage the stack and selectively rotate responsive to a motor or other mechanism in the direction of Arrow P so as to move the stack into generally abutting relation with an engaging surface 154.
  • an idler roll 156 Positioned adjacent to the engaging surface 154 in proximity to the lower surface 158 is an idler roll 156 which is a generally free wheeling roll. The engagement of the stack 84 of the engaging surface 154 and the face of the roll 156 is operative to splay the sheets as shown.
  • the picker mechanism 86 further includes a generally cylindrical picking member 158.
  • Picking member 158 is rotatable selectively by a motor or other driving member responsive to the controller 64. The picking members during picking operation rotates in the direction of Arrow P as shown.
  • Picking member 158 further includes high friction arcuate segments 160 which in the exemplary embodiment serve as sheet engaging portions and which extend about a portion of the circumference of the picking member.
  • Picker mechanism 86 of the exemplary embodiment further includes a plurality of rolls 162 that serve as non-contact stripper rolls in a manner later discussed.
  • the picking mechanism further includes a contact stripper roll 164 which biasingly engages the high motion segments 160 of the picking member.
  • the picking member is a generally cylindrical member that includes a plurality of annular recesses 166.
  • the outer surface of the non-contact stripper rolls 162 extend into a corresponding annular recess 166, but are generally not in stripping engagement therewith.
  • the outer surface of the non-contact stripper rolls 162 are disposed slightly away from the base of the annular recess. As a consequence the outer surface of the non-contact stripper rolls which serve as a first stripper portion are not positioned to be in direct contact stripping engagement with the picking member.
  • the surface of such rolls is disposed in close proximity thereto and generally enables only a single sheet to pass between the picking member and the non-contact stripper rolls, the separation of a single sheet from other sheets is generally achieved.
  • the non-contact stripper rolls are disposed slightly from the picking member, in other embodiments such rolls or other stripper members may operate to actually contact the picking member but may be of such resilient consistency or other properties that the rolls are not in a biased contact stripping engagement as is the case with the contact stripper roll 64.
  • the contact stripper roll is biased to engage a central sheet engaging portion 168 of the picking member 158.
  • This central sheet engaging portion is generally centered with regard to sheets that are moved by the picker mechanism 86. This reduces the tendency of sheets to twist or skew as they are being moved in the picker mechanism.
  • this arrangement is exemplary and in other embodiments other approaches may be used.
  • the operation of the exemplary picker mechanism 86 is represented in Figures 9 and 10 .
  • the picker mechanism is operative to separate sheets individually from the stack 84. This is done by sequentially picking a first sheet 170 which bounds the lower end of the stack while moving the first sheet in a first direction generally indicated by Arrow F so as to move the sheet away from the stack.
  • the controller 64 operates motors or other moving mechanisms to cause the moving members 150 and 152 to rotate as the picking member 158 similarly rotates in a counterclockwise direction as shown.
  • the rotation of the picking member causes the high friction arcuate segments 160 which serve as sheet engaging portions to engage a lower face of the first sheet and pull the sheet in intermediate relation between the picking member and the non-contact stripper rolls 162.
  • the idler roll 156 rotates to facilitate the movement of the first sheet between the picking member and the non-contact stripper rolls.
  • the non-contact stripper rolls 162 are in operative connection with a one-way clutch 172 such that the first stripper rolls remain stationary when the first sheet is engaged therewith and moving in the direction of Arrow F. Because the resistance force provided by the non-contact stripper rolls against the face of the sheet engaged therewith is less than the moving force imparted to the opposed face of the sheet, the first sheet 170 is moved into intermediate relation between the picking member and the non-contact stripper rolls. This causes the sheet to assume the cross-sectional wave configuration shown in Figure 10 . This is caused by the sheet being deformed by the non-contact stripper rolls into the annular recesses 166 of the picker member. This cross-sectional wave configuration is generally operative in combination with the opposing force applied by the non-contact stripper rolls, to separate the first sheet from other sheets that may be moving therewith from the stack.
  • the leading edge of the sheet then engages the contact stripper roll 164 which is biased to engage the sheet engaging portions of the picking member.
  • the contact stripper roll is also in operative connection with a one-way clutch 174 such that in the exemplary embodiment the contact stripper roll remains stationary as the first sheet moves in the direction of Arrow F.
  • the engagement of the contact stripper roll and the first sheet operates to displace the contact stripper roll so as to enable the sheet 170 to move in intermediate relation between the contact stripper roll and the central sheet engaging portion 168.
  • the resistance force of the non-contact stripper roll is generally operative to separate any sheets other than the first sheet 170 from moving in the direction of Arrow F.
  • the sensor 176 is positioned adjacent to the contact stripper roll in the exemplary embodiment.
  • Sensor 176 is operative to sense the presence of double sheets which may have been able to pass the non-contact and contact stripper rolls.
  • Suitable sensors in some embodiments may be those shown in U.S. Patent Nos. 6,241,244 and 6,242,733 .
  • the controller of the machine Upon sensing a double sheet the controller of the machine is enabled to make additional attempts to strip the sheet as later discussed. However, in the event that only a single sheet is sensed the picker member 158 continues moving in the counterclockwise direction until the leading edge of the sheet reaches takeaway rolls 178. In the exemplary embodiment takeaway rolls are operative to engage the sheet and to move the sheet in the cash accepting mechanism toward the validator device 88. In the exemplary embodiment one rotation of the picking member is operative to separate one sheet from the stack.
  • the controller of this exemplary embodiment is operative to stop the movement of the picker member 158 in the counterclockwise direction as shown prior to the first sheet 170 being disengaged therefrom. Thereafter the controller is operative to reverse the direction of the picker member 158 and the moving members 150 and 152 so as to move the first sheet back toward the stack.
  • the controller may operate the picker mechanism 86 to again pick a single bill. Repeated attempts may be made until a single sheet is separated from the stack so that it may be processed by the cash acceptor mechanism.
  • the exemplary embodiment of the picker mechanism 86 is well adapted for separating various types of financial instrument sheets having different properties.
  • sheets such as currency notes that are new or other types of sheets which have generally consistent properties of rigidity and friction from sheet to sheet are separated through the operation of the picker mechanism and the non-contact stripper rolls.
  • the contacting stripper roll which subsequently engages the sheets after they have engaged the non-contact stripper rolls is effective in separating sheets that would not otherwise be separated. This may be particularly helpful for example in processing sheets that may include plastic and paper currency notes, checks or other documents that have significantly variable properties and which are mixed together in a stack from which the sheets must be individually picked.
  • picking rolls and cylindrical members are used in the exemplary embodiment, in other embodiments other picking and stripping structures such as belts, pads, fingers and other members may be used.
  • the exemplary embodiment of ATM 10 comprises a through-the-wall type machine in which the fascia is exposed to the elements.
  • the fascia is exposed to the elements.
  • rain and snow may impact on the fascia and in the absence of suitable measures may enter the machine.
  • the cash accepting opening 40 in the fascia must be sufficiently large to accept the chute 82 which holds a stack of documents 84 as previously discussed.
  • the gate 44 must be opened which results in exposure of the chute to the elements.
  • the exemplary embodiment includes the capability to capture and direct from the machine moisture which may enter the chute.
  • the approach used in the exemplary embodiment is represented in Figures 17 through 19 .
  • the lower surface of the chute 148 includes at least one water accepting opening 180 therein.
  • the water accepting opening comprises one or more troughs which extend transversely across the lower surface of the sheet.
  • the fluid accepting openings are in fluid connection with a conduit schematically represented 182 which is in fluid connection with a drain 184 which delivers the water outside the ATM.
  • the trough 180 is in operative connection with a fluid fitting 184 which connects to a generally flexible fluid conduit 182 such as a tube.
  • the conduit 182 connects to the drain 184 which in the exemplary embodiment includes a cavity at a lower side of the fascia and which includes openings through which the water may drain to the outside of the machine housing.
  • a tube support 186 is positioned to control the direction of the tube and assure drainage when the cash acceptor mechanism is in the operative position as well as when the cash acceptor mechanism is in a service position such as is shown in Figure 12 .
  • the tube support minimizes the risk of the fluid conduit being crimped or otherwise assuming a position which prevents the drainage of water from the interior of the chute to the outside of the machine. It should be understood, however, that the approach shown is exemplary and in other embodiments other approaches may be used.
  • a resilient gasket 188 extends in surrounding relation of the chute 82 in the area adjacent to the fascia.
  • the resilient gasket is supported on a front face of the cash acceptor mechanism.
  • the resilient gasket is positioned in sandwiched fluid tight relation between the front face of the cash acceptor mechanism and the interior face of the fascia. As the seal provided by the gasket extends in surrounding relation of the chute, the risk of moisture or other contaminants entering the ATM through the cash acceptor opening is minimized.
  • this approach is exemplary and in other embodiments other approaches may be used.
  • unacceptable sheets may be suspect sheets such as potentially counterfeit notes, invalid checks or other unacceptable documents. When such documents are detected, they are directed to a storage area 100 which in the exemplary embodiment is within the cash acceptor mechanism and outside the chest portion. Periodically these unacceptable sheets must be recovered by servicing personnel for purposes of either verifying the invalidity of the sheets or for purposes of tracing the sheets to the user who placed them in the machine. In the exemplary embodiment such sheets are recoverable by authorized persons who have access to the upper housing portion 54 but who may be prevented from having access to the chest 48 where documents determined to be valid are stored.
  • access to the storage area 100 is controlled by a suitable access device.
  • a suitable access device In one form of such an access device shown in Figure 12 , an opening 190 is provided to the storage area 100. Access to the opening is controlled by a flip-down access door 192.
  • the flip-down access door 192 may be opened only when the cash acceptor mechanism 80 has been moved rearward to extend outside of the housing subsequent to opening access door 58.
  • the flip-down access door may be provided with a locking mechanism 194 such as a key lock or other suitable locking mechanism.
  • the user could be required to have the necessary capabilities through keys, combinations or otherwise to unlock both lock 62 on access door 58 as well as lock 194 and flip-down door 192 in order to access the sheets.
  • the cash acceptor mechanism 180 is shown retracted out of the machine to facilitate opening the flip-down door and extracting the sheets, in other embodiments the flip-down door may be sized, segmented or otherwise adapted such that the cash acceptor mechanism may not need to be retracted from its operative position in order to access sheets in the storage area 100.
  • FIG. 13 shows yet a further alternative for accessing sheets in the storage area 100.
  • an opening 196 is provided through the storage area so as to enable access to the sheets therein.
  • Access through opening 196 is provided to a sliding door 198.
  • Door 198 is operative to slide along the direction of Arrow S in opposed tracks, slots or other suitable mechanisms for holding and guiding the door in supporting connection with the cash acceptor mechanism.
  • door 198 may include a locking mechanism 200.
  • Locking mechanism 200 may be a suitable key, combination or other locking mechanism for assuring that only authorized personnel are enabled to access the documents in the storage area.
  • door 198 may be both unlocked and opened without having to retract the cash accepting mechanism rearward. In some embodiments this may serve to speed servicing and the removal of invalid sheets from the machine.
  • FIG 14 shows yet another exemplary embodiment for accessing sheets in the storage area 100.
  • an opening 202 is provided in a rear face of the cash accepting mechanism 80. Access to opening 202 is controlled by a door 204.
  • door 204 is a sliding door adapted to be selectively moved in tracks, slots or similar devices.
  • a suitable locking mechanism schematically indicated 206 is used to assure that only authorized personnel have access to the door.
  • a transport 208 is provided for moving the sheets in the storage area 100 to the service personnel through the opening 202.
  • a transport 208 may be operative in response to provided to input devices by the servicing personnel or may be automatic responsive to the opening of the door 204.
  • all of the approaches shown are exemplary and in other embodiments other approaches may be used.
  • suspect notes or other documents are correlated with particular transactions conducted at the machine and/or with particular users of the machine. This may be accomplished through operation of the validator and the controller.
  • the suspect documents in storage may be arranged in a particular order and the controller is operative to provide one or more outputs such as through a screen or a printer indicating the transactions and/or users which correspond to the suspect sheets.
  • provisions may be made for the cash acceptor mechanism to be in operative connection with a printer which prints transaction and/or user identifying information on each of the suspect sheets. This may include for example, visible or non-visible indicia.
  • the indicia may be removable such as removable labels or indicia that can be washed off or otherwise removed or neutralized.
  • the characteristics determined by the validator may be such that the data is sufficiently detailed and of types that create a unique electronic profile of each suspect sheet.
  • This data can be stored at the machine in a data store through operation of the controller or elsewhere in a connected data store. This sheet identifying data may then later be used by a servicer or other persons recovering or analyzing the suspect sheets to correlate each sheet with the transaction and/or user that provided the sheet to the machine. This may be done in some embodiments by putting the machine controller in a mode for such analysis and feeding each suspect sheet through the cash acceptor mechanism.
  • the controller may then operate to correlate the stored data related to the transaction and/or user with the stored data that uniquely identifies the sheet. Such information is then provided to a user of the machine recovering the sheets. Alternatively, such analysis may be conducted by transferring data away from the machine along with the suspect sheets, and conducting the analysis at another validator.
  • these approaches are exemplary of approaches that may be used to uniquely identify a suspect sheet and associate it with a user and/or a transaction.
  • the cash acceptor mechanism 80 it is desirable to maintain the interior components of the cash acceptor mechanism isolated and in sealed relation except when access is required for servicing.
  • the exemplary embodiment positions the cash acceptor mechanism in intermediate relation between a vertically extending wall of the generally L-shaped chest and the wall of the housing to provide enhanced security, it also presents challenges for servicing. While the ability of the exemplary embodiment to move the cash acceptor mechanism rearward through a service opening of the ATM facilitates servicing, problems are still potentially presented by the need to have to remove cover panels and the like. Further, there is always a risk that cover panels, once removed, will not be replaced resulting in infiltration of contaminants to the cash acceptor mechanism and causing malfunctions or failures.
  • a side service panel 210 is mounted in hinged relation in supporting connection with the cash acceptor mechanism. This enables the service panel 210 to be opened once the cash acceptor mechanism has been moved rearward from the machine. This enables ready access to the components within the machine.
  • the front service panel 212 is mounted in hinged relation adjacent the front of the cash acceptor mechanism. This front service panel enables access to components accessible through a front opening of the cash accepting mechanism.
  • the panels may be readily opened.
  • the hinged mounting makes it difficult for a technician to entirely remove the panels from the machine.
  • the cash acceptor mechanism cannot be returned to service without closing the service panels.
  • suitable latching mechanisms or other holding devices may be used so as to assure that once the service panels are returned to their closed position, they remain therein until such time as the service panels need to be opened again for servicing.
  • Figure 16 shows yet a further schematic view of an alternative approach to providing service panels on the cash acceptor mechanism 80 that provide protection for internal components and yet can be readily removed for servicing.
  • service panels 214 and 216 are provided such that they can move in the direction indicated by the adjacent arrows.
  • Service panels 214 and 216 in the exemplary embodiment are mounted in channels, slots or other suitable devices on the cash acceptor mechanism for guiding and holding the panels in position.
  • the useful aspect of the service panels shown in Figure 16 is that the cash acceptor mechanism 80 need not be removed from the operative position in order to open the interior of the mechanism by moving the service panel. Indeed in the exemplary embodiment, service panel 214 may be entirely removed exposing the components of the cash acceptor mechanism without moving the cash acceptor mechanism from the operative position.
  • Service panel 216 which may include the front face supporting the resilient gasket, may be made more readily removable by moving the gasket relative to the chute.
  • the ability to remove service panels may be particularly useful in situations where a service person needs to observe the cash acceptor mechanism in operation in order to diagnose and remedy certain problems.
  • the cash dispensing mechanism is positioned in the higher side of the generally L-shaped chest and includes a plurality of note storage areas 222, 224, 226, 228, 230 and 232.
  • the note storage areas may be housed within removable currency cassettes which are suitable for holding notes and which may be readily removed from the machine.
  • each of the note storage areas is in operative connection with a picker mechanism 234, 236, 238, 240, 242 and 244.
  • Each of these picker mechanisms are selectively operative responsive to controller 64 to selectively dispense notes or other sheets from the corresponding storage area responsive to appropriate inputs to input devices of the user interface.
  • the picker mechanisms used may be similar to the picker mechanism 86 used to separate sheets from a stack in the cash acceptor mechanism 80.
  • a vertically extending transport 246 is in operative connection with the picker mechanisms and a presenter mechanism 248.
  • the presenter mechanism is operative to receive sheets dispensed by the picker mechanisms and to move the sheets upward through the transport 246 to accumulate the sheets into a stack schematically indicated 250.
  • the presenter mechanism is operative to move the stack toward the cash dispensing opening 38 while the controller is operative to open the cash dispensing gate 42. This enables the stack of sheets to be dispensed to a user of the machine.
  • the cash dispensing mechanism 220 has been described as dispensing various denominations of currency notes, in other embodiments the cash dispensing mechanism may dispense other types of sheets. These may include, for example, travelers checks, stamps, vouchers, scrip, gift certificates, or other documents. Further, in some embodiments the ATM may be operative to dispense combinations of both notes and other documents as may be requested by the user. Of course the mechanisms shown are exemplary and in other embodiments other approaches may be used.
  • a user operating the machine provides inputs sufficient to identify the user's account through the input devices of the machine. This may include, for example, providing a card and/or alpha-numeric data through the input devices which can be correlated through operation of the controller in the machine and/or by interaction with a remote computer to determine a financial account of the user.
  • the controller thereafter operates the output devices of the machine so as to prompt the user to provide inputs and to select a particular type of transaction or provide other inputs.
  • the ATM operates responsive to the controller 64 to open the gate 44 to the chute 82 which enables the user to provide a stack of notes or other documents into the machine.
  • the cash acceptor mechanism 80 operates to unstack the documents through operation of the picker mechanism 86 and to determine at least one of the characteristics of each document through operation of the validator device 88.
  • the determined characteristics of the documents may cause valid or acceptable documents to be routed through operation of the routing device 92 into the escrow device 94 where they may be temporarily stored.
  • the controller may operate the routing device 92 to direct suspect documents such as invalid documents or probable counterfeit notes to the transport 86 and the storage area 100.
  • the controller may operate to advise the user of the machine's determination with regard to the documents through outputs through one or more output devices.
  • the user may be offered the option to recover the valid or invalid documents or both. This may be accomplished by the escrow device delivering the documents to the same or different transports such that the documents may be returned to the chute or other area of the machine that is accessible to the user. Likewise if the option is offered, invalid documents may likewise be routed back to the user.
  • various approaches may be used depending on the particular machine configuration and the programming associated with the controller.
  • the controller operates responsive to inputs from the user and/or its programming to cause the escrow device 94 to deliver the documents.
  • the documents are directed by the routing device 92 through the cash accepting opening 102 in the chest in which they are transported and stored in the appropriate sheet handling mechanisms or in an appropriate bulk storage container.
  • the user's account is credited for valid sheets deposited.
  • Information is collected concerning any invalid sheets provided by the user so that if the sheets are later determined to be valid, the user may be credited or alternatively the user may be contacted to determine the source of the invalid sheets.
  • this transaction is exemplary and in other embodiments other approaches may be used.
  • a user may also conduct cash dispensing transactions. This may be done either during the same session as a cash accepting transaction or as part of a separate session.
  • the user of the ATM provides inputs to the input devices that are sufficient to identify one or more accounts of the user and/or other identifying inputs. Responsive to prompts through the output devices, the user provides inputs indicating that they wish to conduct a transaction involving the dispense of notes or other types of sheets, and the amount, nature or character of the sheets that the user has requested.
  • the controller 64 Responsive to the inputs from the user the controller 64 is operative to cause the cash dispenser mechanism 220 and the picker mechanisms located therein to deliver the requested sheets to the presenter mechanism 248, which is operative to accumulate the requested sheets into a stack 250. Once the sheets are accumulated, the sheets are moved outward to the user as the gate mechanism is opened. Hereafter the controller operates to cause the value of the dispensed cash or other sheets to be charged to the user's account.
  • transactions described are exemplary and additional types of transactions may be carried out through operation of various embodiments.
  • mechanisms that are operative to both accept and dispense cash such as those described in the incorporated disclosures may be utilized as substitutes for, or in addition to, the mechanisms described herein so as to carry out transactions.
  • Other types of transaction function devices may be included in some embodiments.
  • embodiments of the invention may be operative to image and validate checks. In such cases it may be desirable for the machine to have the capability to cancel the check or destroy the check so there is no risk that the check may be later be stolen and used fraudulently.
  • suitable mechanisms may be provided for carrying out such functions.
  • machine may be desirable in some embodiments to have the machine produce bank checks, travelers checks, tickets or other documents and suitable mechanisms may be provided for producing such documents in the selected amounts.
  • suitable mechanisms may be provided for producing such documents in the selected amounts.
  • features used by merchants such as devices for accepting deposit bags, dispensing rolled coin and other devices may be incorporated into an ATM or other automated banking machine having features described herein.
  • features of the exemplary ATM may also be used in numerous other types of automated banking machines.
  • Exemplary embodiments of the invention include light emitting devices 17, 31, 41, 43 and 45.
  • the light emitting devices are positioned in areas on the user interface at locations associated with particular transaction function devices.
  • light emitting device 31 is associated with the receipt printer 30 and light emitting device 17 is associated with the card reader 16.
  • the light emitting devices are in operative connection with the one or more controllers in the machine.
  • such devices are capable of emitting light of selected colors at particular times during the transaction responsive to the operative condition of the transaction function device of the ATM with which the light emitting device is associated.
  • the light emitting devices include an array of LEDs of different colors embedded on a flexible circuit.
  • Figure 22 represents light emitting device 31.
  • Light emitting device 31 includes an array of LEDs 304 connected through a circuit on a flexible substrate such as a polymide film, for example, DuPont Kapton® material, and includes a flexible connector portion 306.
  • the flexible connector terminates in an electrical connector 308.
  • Electrical connector 308 is releasably connectible to a driving circuit or other electrical circuit in the machine which operably connects to one or more controllers for purposes of controlling the illumination of the light emitting device.
  • the light emitting device includes three different color LEDs. These LEDs are red, green and yellow, which are represented by "R,” “G,” and “Y” in the figures as shown. As represented in Figure 23 , in the exemplary embodiment the LEDs are in an array such that LEDs of only one color are vertically aligned along a single line of the light emitting device. For example, as shown in Figure 23 , a line 310 comprises a line of vertically aligned red LEDs. As shown in Figure 23 , a line 312 is a line of only green LEDs, and a line 314 of only yellow LEDs. As shown in Figure 23 , in the exemplary embodiment the lines repeat so that there are five vertical lines of each color LED.
  • LEDs of each color are arranged in vertically aligned relation, in other embodiments other arrangements such as horizontal alignment or other matrices of LEDs may be used. It should also be appreciated that although the LEDs are connected electrically in series as shown in Figure 24 , the electrical connections on the flexible circuit provide for spaced vertically aligned pairs of LEDs of only one color.
  • the light emitting devices are supported in a flexible web.
  • the web is thin in the preferred embodiment, having a thickness of approximately 1.20 millimeters. This facilitates the positioning of the light emitting devices on the user interface.
  • LEDs which are represented 316 and 318 are mounted on a base layer 320 including the circuit on a flexible substrate.
  • An outer layer 322 which in the exemplary embodiment comprises a polyester layer overlies the LEDs.
  • a spacer 324 extends between the base layer and the outer layer. As best shown in Figure 23 multiple spacers may be used.
  • the spacers are positioned outboard of the LEDs and include openings 326 to facilitate positioning the light emitting devices on the machine.
  • the release layer includes an underlying adhesive layer 328.
  • the adhesive layer enables attaching of a light emitting device to a selected area within the machine. The adhesive layer is initially exposed for purposes of attaching the light emitting device by removal of an adhesive release layer 330 as shown in Figure 25 .
  • the light emitting devices are attached to components of the machine with which they are associated. This may be done, for example, by using modular construction for the transaction function devices within the machine and attaching the particular light emitting device to the associated module.
  • Figure 18 shows the cash accepting device 80 which is arranged as a modular device for purposes of processing sheets that may be received in the machine.
  • the associated light emitting device 41 is mounted in supporting connection with the module.
  • the adjacent fascia area of the machine provides an opening through which the light emitting device may be viewed when it is in the operative position.
  • the fascia of the machine may include a transparent or translucent material separating the light emitting device from the exterior of the machine.
  • the light emitting devices may be exposed on the exterior of the machine.
  • the attachment of the light emitting devices directly to the modular components of the machine may facilitate assembly and service of the machine. Placing the light emitting device directly on the module of the transaction function device with which it is associated, may reduce the amount of wiring and connectors needed for purposes of assembly and service.
  • the multicolor light emitting devices are operated under the control of one or more controllers in the machine.
  • Each light emitting device is operated to emit light of a selected color and/or in a selected manner responsive to the operative condition of an associated transaction function device.
  • exemplary machines may be selectively programmable to emit a particular color light responsive to a given operative condition.
  • the light emitting device adjacent to the card reader may emit green light when it is ready to receive the card of a user, and then change to a yellow light after the card has been received therein.
  • lights of a different color may flash or alternate to reflect conditions of a particular device.
  • the controller may be programmed to have the associated light emitting device emit red light or otherwise flash a color of light so as to indicate to the user that they have done something improper.
  • red light may be output.
  • the controller may be programmed so as to illuminate the light emitting devices to guide a user in operation of the machine. This may include, for example, illuminating or flashing a particular colored light to indicate a required user activity at a particular location on the machine. For example, at a particular time in the transaction the controller may cause to be output on the display an indication to the customer that they are to take their receipt. When the machine has delivered the receipt, the controller may operate to cause the light emitting device 31 associated with the receipt delivery to illuminate, flash or otherwise indicate to the user that activity is required by the user in the area of the receipt delivery slot.
  • the controller may be programmed to cause the light emitting devices to selectively illuminate intermittently and for a different duration depending on the operative condition of an associated device. For example, if a user provides inputs so as to request a cash-dispensing transaction, the light emitting device 43 adjacent to the cash dispensing opening may illuminate in a yellow condition as the machine operates internally to move bills toward the cash dispensing opening. Thereafter as the bills are pushed through the opening and presented to the user, the controller may cause the color of the light emitting device to change to green. In addition, the controller may cause the green light to flash so as to draw the user's attention to the fact that the money is ready to be taken.
  • the controller may cause the light emitting device to flash or may operate so as to flash different colors in an alternating fashion so as to capture the attention of the user prior to the money being retracted.
  • the colors emitted by the light emitting devices may be selectively programmed based on aesthetic reasons. For example, if the entity which operates the machine has particular trade dress involving certain colors the controller may be programmed to have the light emitting devices correspond with that trade dress. Thus, for example, if the particular entity's trade dress color is green, the machine may be programmed to utilize the green LEDs as lead-through indicators in prompting the user in how to operate the machine. Likewise if a different operating entity with a similar machine utilizes yellow as part of their trade dress scheme, the controller may be programmed to illuminate the yellow LEDs in the light emitting devices as the lead-through indicators.
  • LEDs in primary colors may be included so as to achieve ranges of hue through color combinations. This may be done by illuminating multiple light emitting sources simultaneously and/or varying the intensity of such sources through operation of a controller so as to achieve various colors.
  • This may include, for example, providing for a gradual change in the hue of the light emitting device in accordance with the status of the associated transaction function device. This may include, for example, providing an indication to the user of the status of the completion of a particular task. It should also be understood that although LEDs are used as the light source in the exemplary embodiment, in other embodiments of the invention other approaches may be used. It should be understood that the structures and operations described are exemplary and numerous other structures and methods may be encompassed within the scope of the present invention.
  • fascia 12 of the exemplary embodiment includes a recessed area 332 in which the display, function keys, card reader and receipt outlet are positioned. This recessed area 332 is illuminated by a light source 334. Light source 334 provides illumination generally in the downward direction so as to enable the user to more readily view the locations of the input and output devices on the fascia of the machine.
  • the fascia 12 includes a top panel portion 336 which is positioned generally above the light source 334 and the user interface of the machine.
  • the top panel portion includes a pair of convex mirrors 338, 340.
  • the convex mirrors 338, 340 are generally horizontally disposed and are positioned at opposed sides of the user interface.
  • a user 342 operating the ATM 10 will generally have their body aligned with the user interface 15 of the machine.
  • the user is generally enabled to view in the convex mirrors an area behind the user generally indicated 343.
  • the user is enabled to do this by looking in the mirrors 338 and 340 to the user's left and right, respectively.
  • the user is enabled to generally see what is going on behind them as well as in a transverse direction from the area directly behind the user. This may enable the user to determine if one or more persons are in their proximity as well as whether such persons may be attempting to observe the user or their inputs to the ATM.
  • lighting sources may be provided in the area 343 to facilitate the user's observation of persons who may be present therein.
  • provision may be made to maintain the cleanliness of the mirrors so as to reduce the risk that the user's ability to observe surrounding activities is impaired.
  • These provisions may include, for example, automated devices which wipe the surface of the mirrors periodically. These may be external wiping devices or in some embodiments internal wiping devices. This may be accomplished, for example, by having the convex mirrors be part of a rotatable member that may be periodically rotated within the fascia so as to expose a new external surface. Cleaning devices on the interior of the fascia may operate to wipe contaminants from the surface of the mirror as it passes internally such that further rotation exposes a clean mirror surface to the user.
  • these approaches are exemplary and in other embodiments other approaches may be used. Further, the principles discussed may be used with other types of automated banking machines and in other circumstances other than those described in connection with the exemplary embodiment.
  • automated banking machine and system of the exemplary embodiments may achieve one or more of the above stated objectives, eliminate difficulties encountered in the use of prior devices and systems, solve problems and attain the desirable results described herein.
  • any feature described as a means for performing a function shall be construed as encompassing any means capable of performing the recited function, and shall not be deemed limited to the particular means shown in the foregoing description or mere equivalents thereof.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Accounting & Taxation (AREA)
  • Finance (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Financial Or Insurance-Related Operations Such As Payment And Settlement (AREA)
  • Control Of Vending Devices And Auxiliary Devices For Vending Devices (AREA)
  • Sheets, Magazines, And Separation Thereof (AREA)

Claims (54)

  1. Vorrichtung, die aufweist:
    einen Bankautomaten mit:
    einem Gehäuse (46),
    einer Benutzerschnittstelle (15) in tragender Verbindung mit dem Gehäuse, wobei die Benutzerschnittstelle wenigstens eine Eingabevorrichtung und wenigstens eine Ausgabevorrichtung aufweist, wobei die Benutzerschnittstelle dafür ausgelegt ist, identifizierende Eingaben zu empfangen, die verwendet werden können, um Benutzerkonten zu identifizieren, Hinweise auszugeben, die verwendet werden können, um die Maschine bzw. den Automaten zu bedienen, und Maschinentransaktionseingaben zu empfangen, in Reaktion auf welche der Automat so betreibbar ist, daß er wenigstens eine Transaktionsfunktion ausführt,
    einem Blatthaltebereich (82) innerhalb des Gehäuses, wobei der Blatthaltebereich dafür ausgelegt ist, einen Stapel (84) zu halten, welcher eine Mehrzahl von Blättern von Bankpapieren in anschlagender Beziehung aufweist,
    wenigstens einem bewegbaren Auswähl- bzw. Aufnahmeelement (158), wobei das wenigstens eine Auswählelement so angeordnet ist, daß ein erstes, den Stapel begrenzendes Blatt mit dem wenigstens einen Auswählelement in Eingriff tritt, und wobei eine Bewegung des wenigstens einen Auswählelements in einer Auswähl- bzw. Aufnahmerichtung dazu dient, das erste Blatt dazu zu bringen, sich relativ zu dem Stapel in einer ersten Richtung zu bewegen, und wobei das wenigstens eine Auswählelement eine Mehrzahl von Blatteingriffsabschnitten (160) aufweist, die dafür ausgelegt sind, mit dem ersten Blatt in Eingriff zu treten, und wenigstens eine Aussparung (166) aufweist, wobei die wenigstens eine Aussparung sich in der ersten Richtung erstreckt und zwischen zueinander benachbarten Blatteingriffsabschnitten liegt,
    wenigstens einem ersten Ablöse- bzw. Abstreifabschnitt (162), wobei der wenigstens eine Ablöseabschnitt sich in im allgemeinen ausgerichteter Beziehung zu der wenigstens einen Aussparung erstreckt, wobei der wenigstens eine erste Ablöseabschnitt so angeordnet ist, daß er mit dem ersten Blatt in Eingriff tritt, wenn sich das erste Blatt in der ersten Richtung zwischen dem wenigstens einen Auswählelement und dem wenigstens einen ersten Ablöseabschnitt bewegt, wobei der wenigstens eine erste Ablöseabschnitt nicht in Ablösekontakteingriff mit dem wenigstens einen Blatteingriffsabschnitt ist, sondern in unmittelbarer Nähe zu diesem angeordnet ist und im allgemeinen nur ermöglicht, daß ein einzelnes Blatt zwischen dem wenigstens einen Auswählelement und dem wenigstens einen ersten Ablöseabschnitt hindurchläuft,
    wenigstens einem zweiten Ablöseabschnitt (164), wobei der wenigstens eine zweite Ablöseabschnitt mit dem wenigstens einen zusammenwirkenden Blatteingriffsabschnitt (168) in Ablösekontakteingriff tritt, und wobei ermöglicht wird, daß sich das erste Blatt in der ersten Richtung zwischen dem wenigstens einen zweiten Ablöseabschnitt und dem wenigstens einen zusammenwirkenden ersten Blatteingriffsabschnitt bewegt,
    wobei in Reaktion auf wenigstens eine Benutzereingabe an der wenigstens einen Eingabevorrichtung der Benutzerschnittstelle das wenigstens eine Auswählelement sich in der Auswählrichtung bewegt und mit einer ersten Oberfläche des ersten Blattes in Eingriff tritt und das erste Blatt dazu bringt, sich von dem Stapel in einer ersten Richtung zu bewegen, während der erste Ablöseabschnitt und der zweite Ablöseabschnitt mit einer gegenüberliegenden Oberfläche des ersten Blattes in Eingriff treten und einer Bewegung des ersten Blattes in der ersten Richtung widerstehen, wobei im allgemeinen verhindert wird, daß sich andere Blätter außer dem ersten Blatt in dem Stapel zusammen mit dem ersten Blatt aus dem Stapel bewegen.
  2. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, die weiterhin wenigstens eine Validierungsvorrichtung innerhalb des Gehäuses aufweist, die dafür ausgelegt ist, wenigstens ein Merkmal des ersten Blattes zu bestimmen, nachdem es aus dem Stapel bewegt wurde.
  3. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 2, die weiterhin einen Blattaufbewahrungsmechanismus in dem Gehäuse aufweist, und wobei der Blattaufbewahrungsmechanismus so betreibbar ist, daß er das erste Blatt zusammen mit anderen Blättern, die das wenigstens eine bestimmte Merkmal aufweisen, aufbewahrt.
  4. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 3, wobei das Gehäuse weiterhin einen Kastenabschnitt aufweist und der Blattaufbewahrungsmechanismus in dem Kastenabschnitt angeordnet ist, und wobei die Validierungsvorrichtung außerhalb des Kastenabschnitts angeordnet ist und wobei der Kastenabschnitt eine obere Oberfläche innerhalb des Gehäuses hat, die eine Blattannahmeöffnung aufweist, und wobei das erste Blatt in im allgemeinen vertikaler Richtung durch die Blattannahmeöffnung in Richtung des Blattaufbewahrungsmechanismusses bewegt wird.
  5. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 4, wobei der Blattaufbewahrungsmechanismus eine Blatttransporteinrichtung aufweist und wobei ein die Transporteinrichtung antreibendes Element sich in die Blattannahmeöffnung erstreckt.
  6. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, wobei das Ineingrifftreten des ersten Blattes mit dem Auswählelement und dem ersten Ablöseabschnitt dem Blatt im Querschnitt eine Wellenkonfiguration verleiht, die sich in Querrichtung zu der ersten Richtung erstreckt.
  7. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, wobei sich der erste Ablöseabschnitt in die wenigstens eine Aussparung erstreckt, wobei das Ineingrifftreten des ersten Blattes mit dem Auswählelement und dem wenigstens einen ersten Ablöseabschnitt dem ersten Blatt im Querschnitt eine wellenförmige Konfiguration verleiht, die im allgemeinen quer zu der ersten Richtung ist.
  8. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 6, wobei der wenigstens eine erste Ablöseabschnitt relativ zu dem wenigstens einen zweiten Ablöseabschnitt angeordnet ist, so daß, wenn sich das erste Blatt in der ersten Richtung mit der Mehrzahl von Blatteingriffsabschnitten in Eingriff bewegt, das erste Blatt mit dem wenigstens einen ersten Ablöseabschnitt in Eingriff tritt, ehe es mit dem wenigstens einen zweiten Ablöseabschnitt in Eingriff tritt.
  9. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, wobei das wenigstens eine Auswählelement ein im allgemeinen zylindrisches Auswählelement aufweist und wobei die wenigstens eine Aussparung eine ringförmige Aussparung in dem Auswählelement aufweist.
  10. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 9, wobei sich der wenigstens eine erste Ablöseabschnitt in die ringförmige Aussparung erstreckt.
  11. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 10, die weiterhin eine erste Ablöserolle bzw. -walze aufweist und wobei der erste Ablöseabschnitt eine erste Ablöseoberfläche der ersten Ablöserolle aufweist.
  12. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, wobei sich die erste Ablöseoberfläche in die ringförmige Aussparung erstreckt.
  13. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 9, wobei der Blatteingriffsabschnitt ein bogenförmiges Segment mit hoher Reibung an dem Auswählelement aufweist.
  14. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 13, wobei das bogenförmige Segment mit hoher Reibung sich über weniger als einen vollen Kreisumfang des Auswählelements erstreckt.
  15. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 13, die weiterhin eine zweite Ablöserolle aufweist, wobei die zweite Ablöserolle den zweiten Ablöseabschnitt aufweist und wobei die zweite Ablöserolle mit dem bogenförmigen Segment mit hoher Reibung in Ablösekontakteingriff tritt, wenn das erste Blatt sich nicht zwischen dem Auswählelement und der zweiten Ablöserolle erstreckt.
  16. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 12, wobei die Blatteingriffsabschnitte ein bogenförmiges Segment mit hoher Reibung in tragender Verbindung mit dem Auswählelement aufweisen.
  17. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 16, wobei das bogenförmige Segment mit hoher Reibung sich um weniger als einen vollen Kreisumfang des Auswählelements erstreckt.
  18. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 17, die weiterhin eine zweite Ablöserolle aufweist, wobei die zweite Ablöserolle den zweiten Ablöseabschnitt aufweist und wobei die zweite Ablöserolle mit dem bogenförmigen Segment mit hoher Reibung in Ablösekontakteingriff tritt, wenn das erste Blatt sich nicht zwischen dem Auswählelement und der zweiten Ablöserolle erstreckt.
  19. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 18, wobei der erste Blatteingriffsabschnitt mit dem bogenförmigen Segment mit hoher Reibung im allgemeinen in Querrichtung über dem Auswählelement relativ zu dem ersten Blatt zentriert ist und wobei der erste Blatteingriffsabschnitt auf dem Auswählelement auf jeder Seite in Querrichtung durch eine ringförmige Aussparung begrenzt ist.
  20. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 19, wobei die erste Ablöserolle in funktionsfähiger Verbindung mit einem ersten Freilauf ist und die zweite Ablöserolle in funktionsfähiger Verbindung mit einem zweiten Freilauf ist, wobei der erste und der zweite Freilauf jeweils einer zusammenwirkenden Bewegung der ersten und der zweiten Ablöserolle mit dem ersten Blatt, wenn sich das erste Blatt in der ersten Richtung bewegt, widerstehen, jedoch eine zusammenwirkende Bewegung der ersten und der zweiten Ablöserolle, wenn sich das erste Blatt in einer zweiten Richtung bewegt, die zu der ersten Richtung entgegengesetzt ist, ermöglichen.
  21. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, wobei das Gehäuse einen Schacht darin aufweist, wobei der Schacht den Blatthaltebereich mit dem Stapel beinhaltet und wobei auf den Schacht von der Außenseite des Automaten zugegriffen werden kann.
  22. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 21, wobei der Schacht im Inneren durch eine untere Oberfläche begrenzt ist und wobei das erste Blatt, wenn es in dem Stapel angeordnet ist, in tragender Verbindung mit der unteren Oberfläche steht.
  23. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 22, wobei die untere Oberfläche des Schachts wenigstens eine Wassereinfangöffnung aufweist und wobei die wenigstens eine Wassereinfangöffnung in Fluidverbindung mit einem Abfluß steht, welcher in Fluidverbindung mit einem Bereich außerhalb des Automaten steht.
  24. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 22, die weiterhin wenigstens ein sich bewegendes Element im Inneren des Schachts aufweist, wobei das wenigstens eine sich bewegende Element mit der gegenüberliegenden Oberfläche des ersten Blattes in Eingriff tritt und das erste Blatt dazu bringt, sich in der ersten Richtung zu bewegen.
  25. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 24, wobei das wenigstens eine sich bewegende Element so betreibbar ist, daß es in Reaktion auf die wenigstens eine Benutzereingabe das erste Blatt dazu bringt, sich in der ersten Richtung zu bewegen.
  26. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 22, wobei der Schacht in einer im allgemeinen quer zu der unteren Oberfläche verlaufenden Richtung durch wenigstens eine Eingriffsoberfläche begrenzt ist, wobei ein Ineingrifftreten des Stapels mit der wenigstens einen Eingriffsoberfläche so wirkt, daß der Stapel in der ersten Richtung ausgebreitet wird.
  27. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 26, die weiterhin eine in dem Schacht angeordnete Zwischenrolle aufweist, und wobei die wenigstens eine Eingriffsoberfläche eine Oberfläche der Zwischenrolle aufweist.
  28. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 27, die weiterhin eine bewegbare Schranke bzw. Klappe aufweist, die mit dem Gehäuse in tragender Beziehung ist, wobei der Zugriff auf einen inneren Bereich des Schachts durch die Schranke gesteuert wird.
  29. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Blätter der Bankpapiere in dem Stapel Blätter sowohl aus Kunststoff als auch aus Papier beinhalten.
  30. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Blätter der Bankpapiere in dem Stapel sowohl Banknoten als auch Schecks beinhalten.
  31. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Blätter der Bankpapiere Banknoten aufweisen.
  32. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 4, wobei die Validierungsvorrichtung in einem Geldannahmemechanismus enthalten ist, wobei der Kastenabschnitt eine sich im allgemeinen in vertikaler Richtung erstreckende Wand aufweist, die sich im allgemeinen senkrecht relativ zu der oberen Oberfläche erstreckt, und wobei der Geldannahmemechanismus bewegbar in tragender Verbindung mit dem Kastenabschnitt angeordnet ist und im allgemeinen parallel zu der sich im allgemeinen in vertikaler Richtung erstreckenden Wand bewegbar ist.
  33. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 32, wobei der Geldannahmemechanismus ein daran gehaltertes bewegbares Bedienfeld aufweist und wobei in einer funktionsfähigen Position des Geldannahmemechanismusses das Bedienfeld benachbart zu der sich im allgemeinen in vertikaler Richtung erstreckenden Wand angeordnet ist, wodurch ein Öffnen des Bedienfeldes, um auf innen liegende Komponenten des Geldannahmemechanismusses zuzugreifen, verhindert wird.
  34. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 33, wobei der Blattaufbewahrungsmechanismus eine Blatttransporteinrichtung aufweist und wobei der Geldannahmemechanismus ein Antriebselement aufweist und wobei in der funktionsfähigen Position des Geldannahmemechanismusses das Antriebselement funktionsfähig mit der Blatttransporteinrichtung in Eingriff tritt.
  35. Verfahren, welches umfaßt:
    a) Empfangen bzw. Aufnehmen (84) von Blättern von Bankpapieren in einem Gehäuse (46) eines Geldautomaten,
    b) Halten eines Stapels in einem Blatthaltebereich (82) innerhalb des Gehäuses, wobei der Stapel eine Mehrzahl von Blättern von Bankpapieren in anschlagender Beziehung aufweist,
    c) Bewegen eines ersten den Stapel begrenzenden Blattes in einer ersten Richtung, indem eine erste Seite des ersten Blattes mit wenigstens einem Blatteingriffsabschnitt (160) wenigstens eines Auswählelements (158) in Eingriff gebracht wird, wobei das wenigstens eine Auswählelement eine Mehrzahl von Blatteingriffsabschnitten aufweist, die dafür ausgelegt sind, mit dem ersten Blatt in Eingriff zu treten, und wenigstens eine Aussparung (166) aufweist, wobei sich die wenigstens eine Aussparung in der ersten Richtung erstreckt und zwischen zueinander benachbarten Eingriffsabschnitten liegt,
    d) Ineingriffbringen einer zweiten Seite des ersten Blattes, die zu der ersten Seite entgegengesetzt ist, mit wenigstens einem ersten Ablöseabschnitt (162), wobei der wenigstens eine erste Ablöseabschnitt sich in im allgemeinen ausgerichteter Beziehung zu der wenigstens einen Aussparung erstreckt und wobei der wenigstens eine erste Ablöseabschnitt so angeordnet ist, daß er mit dem ersten Blatt in Eingriff tritt, wenn sich das erste Blatt in der ersten Richtung zwischen dem wenigstens einen Auswählelement und dem wenigstens einen ersten Ablöseabschnitt bewegt, wobei der wenigstens eine erste Ablöseabschnitt nicht in Ablösekontakteingriff mit dem wenigstens einen Blatteingriffsabschnitt steht, sondern in großer Nähe hierzu angeordnet ist und im allgemeinen nur ermöglicht, daß ein einzelnes Blatt zwischen dem wenigstens einen Auswählelement und dem wenigstens einen ersten Ablöseabschnitt hindurchläuft,
    e) Ineingriffbringen der zweiten Seite des ersten Blattes mit wenigstens einem zweiten Ablöseabschnitt (164), wobei der wenigstens eine zweite Ablöseabschnitt mit wenigstens einem zusammenwirkenden Blatteingriffsabschnitt (168) in Ablösekontakteingriff tritt, wobei ermöglicht wird, daß sich das erste Blatt in der ersten Richtung zwischen dem wenigstens einen zweiten Ablöseabschnitt und dem wenigstens einen zusammenwirkenden ersten Blatteingriffsabschnitt bewegt,
    f) in Reaktion auf wenigstens eine Benutzereingabe an wenigstens einer Eingabevorrichtung einer Benutzerschnittstelle (15) des Geldautomaten Trennen des ersten Blattes von dem Stapel durch Bewegen des wenigstens einen Auswählelements in der ersten Richtung, um mit einer ersten Oberfläche des ersten Blattes in Eingriff zu treten und das erste Blatt dazu zu bringen, sich in der ersten Richtung aus dem Stapel zu bewegen, während der erste Ablöseabschnitt und der zweite Ablöseabschnitt mit einer gegenüberliegenden Oberfläche des ersten Blattes in Eingriff treten und einer Bewegung des ersten Blattes in der ersten Richtung widerstehen, wobei im allgemeinen verhindert wird, daß außer dem ersten Blatt in dem Stapel enthaltene Blätter sich zusammen mit dem ersten Blatt aus dem Stapel bewegen.
  36. Verfahren nach Anspruch 35, wobei (d) vor (e) erfolgt.
  37. Verfahren nach Anspruch 35, welches weiterhin umfaßt:
    g) Bestimmen wenigstens eines Merkmals des ersten Blattes, nachdem es durch Betätigen des Automaten aus dem Stapel entfernt wurde.
  38. Verfahren nach Anspruch 37, wobei die Blätter von Bankpapieren Noten beinhalten und wobei in (g) das wenigstens eine Merkmal die Gültigkeit der Noten anzeigt.
  39. Verfahren nach Anspruch 38, wobei in (g) das wenigstens eine Merkmal weiterhin eine Note eindeutig identifiziert.
  40. Verfahren nach Anspruch 39, wobei der Automat weiterhin eine Benutzerschnittstelle aufweist und das Verfahren weiterhin umfaßt:
    Empfangen wenigstens einer identifizierenden Eingabe durch die Benutzerschnittstelle,
    Korrelieren der wenigstens einen identifizierenden Eingabe mit dem wenigstens einen Merkmal, welches eine Note eindeutig identifiziert, durch den Betrieb des Automaten.
  41. Verfahren nach Anspruch 37, wobei die Blätter von Bankpapieren Noten beinhalten und wobei in (g) das wenigstens eine Merkmal die Notenbezeichnung des ersten Blattes anzeigt.
  42. Verfahren nach Anspruch 37, welches weiterhin umfaßt:
    Aufbewahren des ersten Blattes in dem Automaten zusammen mit anderen Blättern, die das wenigstens eine Merkmal aufweisen.
  43. Verfahren nach Anspruch 38, welches weiterhin umfaßt:
    h) Bewegen von Noten, zu denen in (g) bestimmt bzw. festgestellt wurde, daß sie das wenigstens eine Merkmal, welches die Gültigkeit der Note anzeigt, aufweisen, in einen Kastenabschnitt des Automaten.
  44. Verfahren nach Anspruch 43, welches weiterhin umfaßt:
    i) Bewegen von Noten, zu denen in (g) bestimmt wurde, daß sie das wenigstens eine Merkmal, welches die Gültigkeit der Note anzeigt, nicht aufweisen, in einen Aufbewahrungsbereich innerhalb eines Gehäuses des Automaten und außerhalb des Kastenabschnitts.
  45. Verfahren nach Anspruch 43, wobei der Automat eine Benutzerschnittstelle und eine Notenausgabeeinrichtung aufweist und das Verfahren weiterhin umfaßt:
    Empfangen wenigstens einer Eingabe durch eine Eingabevorrichtung der Benutzerschnittstelle,
    Ausgeben wenigstens einer Note aus dem Automaten in Reaktion auf die wenigstens eine Eingabe.
  46. Verfahren nach Anspruch 35, wobei das wenigstens eine Auswählelement ein zylindrisches Auswählelement aufweist und wobei in (c) das erste Blatt bewegt wird, indem das zylindrische Auswählelement in einer ersten Drehrichtung gedreht wird.
  47. Verfahren nach Anspruch 46, wobei das zylindrische Auswählelement wenigstens eine ringförmige Aussparung aufweist, wobei die ringförmige Aussparung in Querrichtung zu dem wenigstens einen Blatteingriffsabschnitt angeordnet ist und wobei in (d) die Betätigung des wenigstens einen ersten Ablöseabschnitts und der wenigstens einen ringförmigen Aussparung dem ersten Blatt eine wellenförmige Querschnittskonfiguration verleihen.
  48. Verfahren nach Anspruch 35, welches vor (e) das Ineingriffbringen des wenigstens einen zweiten Ablöseabschnitts mit dem wenigstens einen Blatteingriffsabschnitt umfaßt, wobei in (e) das erste Blatt zwischen dem wenigstens einen Blatteingriffsabschnitt und dem wenigsten seinen zweiten Ablöseabschnitt bewegt wird.
  49. Verfahren nach Anspruch 46, welches vor (f) weiterhin das Ausdehnen des wenigstens einen ersten Ablöseabschnitts in die wenigstens eine ringförmige Aussparung umfaßt.
  50. Verfahren nach Anspruch 49, wobei das im allgemeinen zylindrische Auswählelement einen ersten Blatteingriffsabschnitt und eine Mehrzahl von ringförmigen Aussparungen aufweist, wobei wenigstens eine ringförmige Aussparung an jeder Querseite des ersten Blatteingriffsabschnitts angeordnet ist, und weiterhin eine Mehrzahl von ersten Ablöseabschnitten aufweist, wobei vor (d) eine Mehrzahl von ersten Ablöseabschnitten sich in eine Mehrzahl von ringförmigen Aussparungen erstrecken.
  51. Verfahren nach Anspruch 46, wobei der wenigstens eine Blatteingriffsabschnitt ein bogenförmiges Segment mit hoher Reibung aufweist, welches sich über weniger als einen vollen Kreisumfang des im allgemeinen zylindrischen Auswählelements erstreckt, und wobei in (c) das im allgemeinen zylindrische Auswählelement eine Drehung in der ersten Drehrichtung ausführt, um das erste Blatt von dem Stapel zu trennen.
  52. Verfahren nach Anspruch 51, wobei der wenigstens eine erste Ablöseabschnitt wenigstens eine erste Rollenoberfläche aufweist und der wenigstens eine zweite Ablöseabschnitt wenigstens eine zweite Ablöserollenoberfläche aufweist, wobei in (d), (e) und (f) die wenigstens eine erste Rollenoberfläche und die wenigstens eine zweite Rollenoberfläche stationär bleiben, wenn sich das erste Blatt relativ dazu in der ersten Richtung bewegt.
  53. Verfahren nach Anspruch 52, welches weiterhin umfaßt:
    Drehen des im allgemeinen zylindrischen Auswählelements in einer zweiten Drehrichtung, die zu der ersten Drehrichtung entgegengesetzt ist,
    Drehen der wenigstens einen ersten und der wenigstens einen zweiten Rollenoberfläche in eine zusammenwirkende Beziehung mit dem Auswählelement, welches sich in der zweiten Drehrichtung dreht, um die Bewegung eines Blattes dazwischen in einer zweiten Richtung, die zu der ersten Richtung entgegengesetzt ist, zu vereinfachen.
  54. Verfahren nach Anspruch 41, welches weiterhin umfaßt:
    Empfangen wenigstens einer ein Konto identifizierenden Eingabe, die zu einem Konto gehört, durch wenigstens eine Eingabevorrichtung an einer Benutzerschnittstelle des Automaten,
    Gutschreiben eines Betrages auf das Konto in Reaktion auf die in (g) bestimmte Bezeichnung des ersten Blattes.
EP05013414A 2002-10-18 2003-10-17 Geldautomat, der Banknoten und andere Bankpapiere ausgibt, annimmt und speichert Expired - Lifetime EP1577855B1 (de)

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US41968102P 2002-10-18 2002-10-18
US419681P 2002-10-18
US43515302P 2002-12-19 2002-12-19
US435153P 2002-12-19
EP03779132A EP1559046A4 (de) 2002-10-18 2003-10-17 GELDAUTOMAT, DER BANKNOTEN UND ANDEREFINANZINSTRUMENTBLûTTER AUSGIBT, ANNIMMT UND SPEICHERT

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EP2615036B1 (de) * 2012-01-16 2014-11-12 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Stapel-/Einschlagvorrichtung
CN111080928A (zh) * 2019-12-23 2020-04-28 山东新北洋信息技术股份有限公司 传动机构、薄片类介质处理装置及存取款机

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EP1591975A1 (de) 2005-11-02
EP1591975B1 (de) 2010-05-26
EP1577855A3 (de) 2005-10-19
EP1577855A2 (de) 2005-09-21

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