EP2511882A1

EP2511882A1 - Automated teller machine, system and cassette

Info

Publication number: EP2511882A1
Application number: EP12163546A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Anthony Westington; Nick Tripp
Original assignee: Spinnaker International Ltd
Current assignee: Secure Innovation Ltd
Priority date: 2011-04-11
Filing date: 2012-04-10
Publication date: 2012-10-17
Also published as: GB2490102A; GB201106107D0

Abstract

An automated teller machine (ATM) comprising receiving means (18) for receiving a cash cassette (50); control means (22) for receiving commands issued by a remote system; and optical communication means (30; 32; 34; 36) for communicating with a cash cassette (50) received in the receiving means (18), wherein the optical communication means (30; 32; 34; 36) is operative to issue commands to the cash cassette (50) in accordance with the commands received by the control means (22) from the remote system; and wherein the optical communication means (30; 32; 34; 36) is moveable between an active position, in which the optical communication means is able to communicate with complementary optical communication means of a cash cassette (50), and an inactive position, in which the optical communication means of the ATM does not impede removal of a cash cassette from the receiving means (18).

Description

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an automated teller machine (ATM), to a system for monitoring and controlling cash cassettes received in an ATM and to a cash cassette for use in such a system.

Background to the Invention

Automated teller machines (ATMs) are provided by banks and other businesses to permit customers to withdraw cash from their bank accounts, and in some instances to make deposits into their bank accounts.
Cash is typically stored in ATMs in one or more refillable cash cassettes. The use of such cash cassettes facilitates replenishment and servicing of ATMs, as empty or malfunctioning cash cassettes can simply be removed and replaced with correctly functioning full cash cassettes. The removed cash cassettes can then be returned to a cash depot or distribution centre for repair, replenishment and recirculation.
ATMs are typically provided with security systems that are designed to deter thieves from attempting to gain access to the cash cassettes stored within them. Such systems typically include detectors to detect unauthorised attempts to access the cash and alarms to notify authorities of the attempted theft. Some security systems also include spoiling systems that are operative to spoil the cash stored in the ATM on detection of an attempted theft by dispensing an indelible ink, dye or other spoiling agent onto the cash, to render it unusable and valueless.
Whilst security systems of this type can be effective in deterring thieves, they can pose problems for those with legitimate reasons for accessing the cash cassettes stored in the
ATM, for example technicians who may need to service the ATM or replenish or replace the cash cassettes. In order to access the cash cassettes the technician must first disable the security system, which may require a special key, electronic tag, passcode or the like. As well as being inconvenient for the technician, such systems may also place the technician in danger, as thieves may target the technician because of his ability to access the cash cassettes stored within the ATM.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a system which permits authorised personnel to access cash cassettes stored in ATMs without requiring a key, passcode or the like, to reduce inconvenience and increase safety for personnel who require access to the cash cassettes.

Summary of Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an automated teller machine (ATM) comprising: receiving means for receiving a cash cassette; control means for receiving commands issued by a remote system; and optical communication means for communicating with a cash cassette received in the receiving means, wherein the optical communication means is operative to issue commands to the cash cassette in accordance with the commands received by the control means from the remote system; and wherein the optical communication means is moveable between an active position, in which the optical communication means is able to communicate with complementary optical communication means of a cash cassette, and an inactive position, in which the optical communication means of the ATM does not impede removal of a cash cassette from the receiving means.
The ATM of the first aspect of the invention is able to receive commands from a remote system, for example to adjust an operating mode or security setting of a cash cassette received in the ATM. This removes the need for personnel requiring access to the cash cassette to carry keys, passcodes or the like, thereby reducing the inconvenience associated with accessing the cash cassettes and improving security for such personnel.
The optical communication means of the ATM may be provided on an inner surface of a door of the ATM, such that when the door is closed the infra-red transmission and receiving means are positioned so as to be aligned with the complementary optical communication means of the cash cassette.
The optical communication means may comprise infra-red transmission and receiving means which are configured to communicate with complementary infra-red receiving and transmission means provided on a cash cassette which can be received in the ATM.
The ATM may further comprise an interface for controlling the infra-red transmission and receiving means of the ATM, wherein the interface is provided in close proximity to the infra-red transmission and receiving means of the ATM.
For example, the interface may be provided on the inner surface of the door of the ATM.
The ATM may further comprise a radio receiver which is operative to receive radio signals transmitted by a radio transmitter of a cash cassette received in the receiving means of the ATM.
The ATM may further comprise a sensor for detecting unauthorised interference with the ATM.
According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a system for monitoring and controlling cash cassettes used in an ATM, the system comprising an operator terminal for receiving commands from an operator of the system and transmission means for transmitting the commands received to an ATM, the ATM comprising: receiving means for receiving a cash cassette; control means for receiving the commands issued by the operator; and optical communication means for communicating with a cash cassette received in the receiving means, wherein the optical communication means is operative to issue commands to the cash cassette in accordance with the commands received by the control means; and wherein the optical communication means is moveable between an active position, in which the optical communication means is able to communicate with complementary optical communication means of a cash cassette, and an inactive position, in which the optical communication means of the ATM does not impede removal of a cash cassette from the receiving means.
The ATM of the system may further comprises any or all of the features recited above in relation to the ATM of the first aspect of the invention.
According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a cassette for receiving and storing bank notes, the cassette comprising: an enclosure for receiving the bank notes to be stored; a spoiling system which can be activated on command to dispense a spoiling agent into the enclosure; and a radio transmitter which is operative to transmit a radio signal on activation of the spoiling system.
The cassette may comprise optical communication means for communicating with an ATM in which the cassette can be received.
The optical communication means may comprise infra-red transmission and receiving means which are configured to communicate with complementary infra-red receiving and transmission means provided in an ATM in which the cash cassette can be received.
The radio signal may contain a code identifying the cassette.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, strictly by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of part of an ATM for use in a system for monitoring an controlling cash cassettes in the ATM;
Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a transmit-receive module used in the ATM of
Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a schematic representation of a cash cassette for use in the ATM of Figure 1;
Figure 4 is a schematic representation of part of a transmit-receive module of the cash cassette of Figure 3, which interfaces with the transmit-receive module shown in Figure 2; and
Figure 5 is a schematic representation of a system for monitoring and controlling cash cassettes used in an ATM according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Description of the Embodiments

Referring first to Figure 1, part of an ATM is shown (in schematic form) generally at 10, and includes a secure safe 12 which has a door 14 that is attached by means of a hinge 16 to a body of the safe 12, to permit access to an interior of the secure safe 12.
The safe 12 is used to store cash cassettes that hold cash, in the form of bank notes, which can be dispensed by the ATM. The safe 12 includes a plurality of slots 18 or other means for receiving such cash cassettes and holding them in position.
The ATM includes a processing unit 20 which controls the operation of the ATM. Typically the processing unit 20 is a personal computer (PC) running appropriate software, but alternative processing units may be used.
The processing unit 20 communicates via a bidirectional link or bus, which may be an RS232 serial link or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) bus for example, with a hub 22. The hub 22 receives a mains power supply from an external source and in turn provides mains power to the processing unit 20.
The hub 22 receives an input from one or more external sensors 24, which are configured to detect attacks on or unauthorised interference with the ATM. The sensor(s) may include, for example, an electrical sensor for detecting attempts to breach the walls or door 14 of the safe 12 by cutting and/or an accelerometer or other motion sensor for detecting unauthorised movement of the safe 12 or of the ATM. On detection by the sensor(s) 24 of an attack on or unauthorised interference with the ATM the sensor 24 transmits an electrical signal to the hub 22, which causes spoiling systems in cash cassettes received in the safe 12 to be activated, as is described below with reference to Figure 5.
The hub 22 also has an antenna 26 for receiving radio frequency (RF) signals from cash cassettes installed in the slots 18, as is described below with reference to Figure 5.
The hub 22 communicates, via a bidirectional link or bus, with an interface module 28, which communicates with a plurality of transmit-receive modules 30 which are mounted, in the example illustrated in Figure 1, on an inner surface of the door 14 of the safe 12, such that when the door 14 of the safe is closed they are in an active position, as is described below, but when the door 14 of the safe 12 is open they do not impede the removal and replacement of a cash cassette from the safe 12.
The transmit-receive modules 30 may alternatively be mounted on a plate or the like which is attached to the ATM such that the transmit-receive modules 30 can be moved between an active position, in which they are able to communicate with complementary transmit receive modules of cash cassettes received in the safe, and an inactive position in which they do not impede removal and replacement of a cash cassette in the safe 12.
In this embodiment the bidirectional link or bus uses the RS485 serial protocol, as this protocol offers good immunity to noise. However, it will be appreciated that any suitable protocol could be used, and indeed the link between the hub 22 and the interface module 28 need not be a serial link, but may be, for example, a parallel or LAN connection. In certain embodiments, the interface module 28 may be omitted, such that the plurality of transmit-receive modules 30 communicate directly with the hub 22.
In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2, the transmit-receive modules 30 each include an optical transmitter 32, an optical receiver 34 and an optical beacon transmitter 36. The optical transmitters 32, 36 in this example are infra-red transmitters and the receiver 34 is an infra-red receiver, but it will be appreciated that optical transmitters and receivers operating in wavelengths other than infra-red may be used. For example, the optical transmitters and receivers may operate in the ultra-violet range, or in the visible part of the spectrum, in which case lasers and appropriate optical detectors may be employed. It will also be appreciated that although the transmitters 32, 36 and receiver 34 are shown as discrete components in Figure 2, integrated optical transceivers may be used in place of the individual transmitters 32, 36 and receiver 34 shown in Figure 2.
In the example illustrated in Figure 1 there are four slots 18 and four transmit-receive modules 30, but it will be appreciated that more or fewer slots 18 for receiving cash cassettes and transmit-receive modules 30 may be provided according to the desired capacity of the ATM. It will also be appreciated from the following description that the number of transmit-receive modules 30 in the safe 12 must equal the number of slots 18 for receiving a cash cassette.
The transmit-receive modules 30 are mounted on the inner surface of the door 14 of the safe 12 in such a manner that, when the door 14 is closed, each of the transmit-receive modules 30 is positioned in an active position so as to align with a complementary transmit-receive module of a cash cassette which may be received in a slot 18 of the safe 12 so as to create a direct optical path between the transmit-receive module 30 of the safe 12 and the complementary transmit-receive module of the cash cassette. When the door 14 of the safe 12 is open the transmit-receive modules 30 do not impede the removal and replacement of a cash cassette from the safe 12.
The interface module 28 controls the operation of the transmit-receive modules 30 in accordance with instructions received from the hub 22, which in turn receives commands from an external control centre via a WAN (Wide Area Network) connection, as is described in more detail below with reference to Figure 5 of the drawings.
The interface module 28 is mounted in close proximity to the transmit-receive modules 30 to reduce noise in the signals transmitted by the interface module 28 to the transmit-receive modules 30. This in turn reduces the risk of noise in signals transmitted by the transmit-receive modules 30, which could cause transmission and reception errors in signals transmitted by the transmit-receive modules 30 to the complementary transmit-receive modules of cash cassettes received in the slots 18 of the safe 12. In the example illustrated in Figure 1 the interface module 28 is mounted on the inner surface of the door 14 of the safe 12 so as to be physically as close as possible to the transmit-receive modules 30 to minimise noise in signals transmitted by the interface module 28 to the transmit-receive modules 30.
Turning now to Figure 3, a cash cassette of a type that can be received in the slots 18 of the safe 12 is shown generally at 50. The cash cassette 50 has a base 52 with an enclosure 53 in which cash to be dispensed by the ATM can be stored, and a lid 54 which is attached to the base 52 by a hinge 56 or other mechanism and can be opened to fill or replenish the cassette 50 with cash or to remove cash from the cassette 50. The lid 54 can be locked in its closed position by means of a locking mechanism, which may be a mechanical or electronic lock, for example.
The cash cassette 50 is provided with a spoiling system (shown in dashed outline at 60 in Figure 3) which can be activated to dispense a spoiling agent such as an indelible ink or dye, an adhesive, resin or solvent, or any other spoiling agent, into the interior of the cassette 50. The spoiling agent, once dispensed, comes into contact with the bank notes stored in the interior of the cassette 50 and renders them worthless and unusable, for example by indelibly marking or staining them, adhering them to one another, or dissolving features of the bank notes such as ink or metallic security markings.
The spoiling system 60 includes an activation mechanism for activating the spoiling system 60. This may be, for example, a system including a cartridge 62 of compressed gas which can be breached by an actuator 64 such as an explosive protractor so as to pressurise a fluid spoiling agent stored in a reservoir 66 to cause it to be dispensed through dispensing means 68 such as needles or spray bars into the interior of the cassette 50.
The cash cassette 50 further includes a transmit-receive module 70, which may be provided on an end or side wall of the cash cassette 50. The transmit-receive module is illustrated schematically in Figure 4, and includes an optical receiver 72, an optical transmitter 74 and an optical beacon receiver 76. The transmit-receive module 70 of the cash cassette 50 is complementary to the transmit-receive module 30 of the ATM, such that when the cash cassette 50 is received in a slot 18 of the safe 12 and the safe door 14 is closed, the optical transmitter 32 of the transmit-receive module 30 of the ATM is aligned with the optical receiver 72 of the transmit-receive module 70 of the cash cassette 50. Similarly, the optical receiver 34 of the transmit-receive module 30 of the ATM is aligned with the optical transmitter 74 of the transmit-receive module 70 of the cash cassette 50, and the optical beacon transmitter 36 of the transmit-receive module 30 of the ATM is aligned with the optical beacon receiver 76 of the transmit-receive module 70 of the cash cassette 50. In this way, the transmit-receive module 30 of the ATM and the transmit-receive module 70 of the cash cassette 50 can communicate with each other by means of optical signals.
The cash cassette 50 includes a controller 80, which may be a microprocessor or microcontroller, for example. The controller 80 controls the operation of the activation mechanism of the spoiling system 60. The controller 80 can also adjust the operating mode of the cash cassette 50. For example, the cash cassette 50 may have a "disarmed" operating mode in which the activation mechanism of the spoiling system 60 is disabled so that the spoiling system 60 cannot be activated. The cash cassette 50 may have further operating modes, for example "normal" in which the activation mechanism is enabled but is not primed, and "threat", in which the activation mechanism is primed so that the spoiling system 60 can be activated quickly.
The controller 80 communicates, via a bidirectional link or bus, with the transmit-receive module 70 of the cash cassette 50. The controller 80 is configured to receive signals from the transmit-receive module 70 and cause the cash cassette 50 to take appropriate action in response to the received signals, such as changing its operating mode, activating the spoiling system 60 or querying the status of the cash cassette 50. The controller 80 also generates information on the operation of the cash cassette 50, for example details of the status (empty/full/part-full etc.) or operating mode of the cash cassette 50, and transmits a signal to the optical transmitter 72 of the transmit-receive module 70 to cause it to transmit a signal, in the form of a sequence of light pulses encoded according to an appropriate protocol, to the optical receiver 32 of the transmit-receive module 30 of the ATM 12.
The cash cassette 50 may also have sensors to detect how full the cash cassette 50 is. The sensors may be positioned in the base 52 or on the lid 54 of the cash cassette 50, and may be optical sensors, mechanical sensors or any other type of sensor that is able to detect how full the cash cassette 50 is. The sensors are connected to the controllers 80, which receives signals output by the sensors to determine the status (empty, full, part-full etc.) of the cash cassette 50.
The cash cassette 50 further includes a radio frequency (RF) transmitter 84 which includes an antenna 86. The RF transmitter 84 is connected to the controller 80 and is operative to transmit a signal containing a code, which may be unique to the cash cassette 50 and thus may be used to identify the cash cassette 50, for a predetermined period of time upon activation of the spoiling system 60.
Referring now to Figure 5, a system for monitoring and controlling cash cassettes 50 used in an ATM is shown generally at 90. The system 90 includes an operator terminal 92 which is typically in a control centre that is remote from the ATM 10 being monitored and controlled by the system 90. The operator terminal is connected to a server 94, which is in turn connected by a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN) to the processing unit 20 of the ATM such that the ATM, and in particular the cash cassettes 50 which occupy the slots 18 in the safe 12 of the ATM, can be monitored and controlled remotely by an operator using the operator terminal 92.
When the operator desires to receive a status update or change the operating mode of a cash cassette 50 received in a slot 18 of the ATM safe 12, an appropriate command is selected via a graphical user interface presented on a display of the operator terminal 92, and this command is transmitted to the controller 20 of the ATM via the server 94 and the WAN. The controller 20 receives the command and transmits it to the hub 22, which in turn transmits it to the interface module 28.
The interface module 28 receives commands issued by the hub 22 via the bidirectional link or bus. These commands are received in the form of data bits or packets, and are converted by the interface module 28 into an electrical signal which is used to control the appropriate optical transmitter(s) 32, 36 of the transmit-receive module 30. For example, the hub 22 may issue a command requesting the status of a cash cassette installed in a slot 18 of the safe 12. The interface module 28 converts this command into a signal which is used to cause the optical transmitter 32 of the appropriate transmit-receive module 30 to transmit a signal, in the form of a sequence of light pulses encoded according to an appropriate protocol, to the optical receiver 72 of the transmit-receive module 70 of the selected cash cassette 50.
On receiving the encoded optical signal from the transmit-receive module 30 of the ATM the transmit-receive module 70 transmits an electrical signal representing the received optical signal to the controller 80 of the cash cassette 50.The controller 80 receives the signal and takes appropriate action. For example, where the received signal contains or represents a status request, the controller 80 reports the current status of the cash cassette 50 in an electrical signal that is transmitted to the optical transmitter 72 of the transmit-receive module 70 to cause it to transmit a signal, in the form of a sequence of light pulses encoded according to an appropriate protocol, to the optical receiver 32 of the appropriate transmit-receive module 30.
Where the signal received from the transmit-receive module 70 is a command to change the operating mode of the cash cassette 50, e.g. to deactivate the spoiling system prior to the cash cassette 50 being removed from the slot 18 for replacement or replenishment, the controller 80 takes appropriate action and issues an acknowledgement, which is transmitted to the appropriate transmit-receive module 30 of the ATM as discussed above. The responses of the cash cassette 50 to commands received from the operator of the remote operator terminal 92 are relayed to the operator via the WAN and the server 94.
Thus, the system 90 can be used to change the operating mode or to query the status of any cash cassette 50 in the ATM safe 12 remotely, enabling, for example, remote deactivation of the spoiling system 60 of a cash cassette 50 prior to replacement or replenishment of that cash cassette 50, and subsequent activation or reactivation of the spoiling system of the replacement cash cassette 50 or the replenished cash cassette 50.
One example of use of the system 90 will now be given, with reference to Figure 5 of the drawings. In the case in which an empty cash cassette 50 is to be replaced with a full one, a technician charged with replacing the empty cassette 50 approaches the ATM carrying the replacement cash cassette 50. On reaching the ATM the technician contacts the operator at the remote control centre, using a mobile telephone for example, to advise that he is in position to replace the cash cassette 50. The operator issues a command, via the operator terminal 92, server 94 and WAN, to the ATM, instructing it to deactivate the spoiling system 60 of the cash cassette 50 to be replaced. This command may also deactivate other security systems of the ATM. When the operator receives confirmation from the ATM that the spoiling system 60 of the selected cash cassette 50, as well as any other relevant security systems of the ATM, has been deactivated, the safe door is unlocked and the technician opens the safe door and proceeds to replace the selected empty cash cassette 50 with the replacement cash cassette. Once this has been completed, the technician closes the safe door, which locks. The server 94 receives a message indicating that the safe is closed and locked and responds automatically by sending a command to the replacement cash cassette 50 to enable its spoiling system 60 such that in the event of an attempted theft the spoiling system 60 of the replacement cash cassette 50 can be activated.
In the example illustrated in Figure 5, all four of the slots 18 of the safe 12 of the ATM are occupied by cash cassettes 50, but it will be appreciated that the system 90 is also operable when fewer cash cassettes 50 are present. Moreover, the system 90 can be used for ATMs having lower capacities, i.e. where fewer cash cassettes 50 can be accommodated in the ATM.
In the event that the sensor(s) 24 detect an attack on the ATM, a signal is transmitted to the hub 22 to cause the spoiling systems 60 of the cash cassettes 50 received in the slots 18 of the safe 12 to be activated. On receiving such a signal from the sensor 24 the hub 22 transmits an "activate" signal to the interface module 28. The interface module 28 receives the activate signal and sends a control signal to all of the transmit-receive modules 30 instructing them to transmit an encoded optical signal using the optical transmitter 32 of their respective transmit-receive modules 30, to cause them to transmit a signal, in the form of a sequence of light pulses encoded according to an appropriate protocol, to the optical receiver 72 of the transmit-receive module 70 of each of the cash cassettes 50. The encoded optical signal is preferably a simple signal, such as a continuous pulse of light of a predetermined duration, so that it can easily and quickly be recognised by the interface module 82 of the cash cassette 50, which then transmits a command signal to the controller 80 of the cash cassette 50. On receiving this command signal the controller activates the spoiling system 60.
The beacon optical transmitters 36 of the transmit-receive modules 30 of the ATM 10and the beacon optical receivers 76 of the transmit-receive modules 70 of the cash cassettes 50 provide a fail-safe back up mechanism which causes the spoiling systems of the cash cassettes 50 received in the slots 18 of the safe 12 to be activated in the event that power to the ATM is cut in a theft or attempted theft. Once the safe 12 has been closed and locked the beacon optical transmitters 36 are switched, creating a continuous optical link between themselves and the beacon optical receivers 76 of the transmit-receive modules 70 of the cash cassettes 50. In the event that the power supply to the ATM 10 is cut, for example in an attempted theft, the beacon optical transmitters 36 stop transmitting. If the signal from the beacon optical transmitters 36 is not detected by the beacon optical receivers 76 of the cash cassettes 50 for a predetermined period of time, for example 10 milliseconds, the controllers 80 of the cash cassettes 50 cause the spoiling systems 60 to be activated to spoil the contents of the cash cassettes 50.
As is explained above, the cash cassette 50 includes a radio frequency (RF) transmitter 84 having an antenna 86. The RF transmitter 84 is connected to the controller 80 and is operative to transmit a signal containing a code, which may be unique to the cash cassette 50 and thus may be used to identify the cash cassette 50, for a predetermined period of time upon activation of the spoiling system 60. The transmitted RF signal is received by the antenna 26 of the ATM and transmitted to the hub 22 where it is decoded. The hub 22 then transmits a signal to the operator terminal 92 via the controller 20, WAN and server 92 indicating that the spoiling system 60 of the cash cassette 50 has been activated, and providing the code to identify the cash cassette 50 if appropriate. The operator can then take appropriate action, for example by remotely deactivating the ATM while the reason for the activation of the spoiling system is investigated and the cash cassette 50 concerned is replaced.
Additionally or alternatively, on activation of the spoiling system 60 of a cash cassette 50 a signal may be transmitted by the controller 80 to the optical transmitter 74 of the transmit-receive module 70 of the cash cassette 50, to cause the optical transmitter to transmit a signal containing the code identifying the cash cassette 50 to the optical receiver 72 of the transmit-receive module 70 of the selected cash cassette 50. The code is in turn received by the hub 22 which decodes it and transmits a signal to the operator terminal 92 as described above, indicating that the spoiling system 60 of the cash cassette 50 has been activated, and providing the code to identify the cash cassette 50 if appropriate. The operator can then take appropriate action, for example by remotely deactivating the ATM while the reason for the activation of the spoiling system is investigated and the cash cassette 50 concerned is replaced.
Additionally or alternatively, on receiving a signal either from the antenna 26 or from the optical receiver 72 indicating that the spoiling system 60 of a cash cassette 50 stored in the ATM has been activated, the hub 22 may transmit a signal to the controller 20, which in turn deactivates the ATM unilaterally (i.e. without receiving a command from the operator of the remote system 90) pending investigation of the incident and replacement of the cash cassette 50 involved.
It will be appreciated that the ATM, cash cassette and system of the present invention allow the operation of cash cassettes used in ATMs to be controlled and monitored remotely. This improves security, as technicians servicing and replenishing the ATM and cash cassettes are unable themselves to deactivate security systems of the ATM and cash cassettes, whilst also permitting fast and accurate reporting of the status of the ATM and its cash cassettes, which improves the speed with which faults can be detected and corrected.

Claims

An automated teller machine (ATM) comprising:
receiving means for receiving a cash cassette;

control means for receiving commands issued by a remote system; and

optical communication means for communicating with a cash cassette received in the receiving means, wherein

the optical communication means is operative to issue commands to the cash cassette in accordance with the commands received by the control means from the remote system; and

wherein the optical communication means is moveable between an active position, in which the optical communication means is able to communicate with complementary optical communication means of a cash cassette, and an inactive position, in which the optical communication means of the ATM does not impede removal of a cash cassette from the receiving means.
An ATM according to claim 1 wherein the optical communication means of the ATM is provided on an inner surface of a door of the ATM, such that when the door is closed the infra-red transmission and receiving means are positioned so as to be aligned with the complementary optical communication means of the cash cassette.
An ATM according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the optical communication means comprises infra-red transmission and receiving means which are configured to communicate with complementary infra-red receiving and transmission means provided on a cash cassette which can be received in the ATM.
An ATM according to claim 3 further comprising an interface for controlling the infra-red transmission and receiving means of the ATM, wherein the interface is provided in close proximity to the infra-red transmission and receiving means of the ATM.
An ATM according to claim 4 wherein the interface is provided on the inner surface of the door of the ATM.
An ATM according to any one of the preceding claims further comprising a radio receiver which is operative to receive radio signals transmitted by a radio transmitter of a cash cassette received in the receiving means of the ATM.
An ATM according to any one of the preceding claims further comprising a sensor for detecting unauthorised interference with the ATM.
A system for monitoring and controlling cash cassettes used in an ATM, the system comprising an operator terminal for receiving commands from an operator of the system and transmission means for transmitting the commands received to an ATM, the ATM comprising:
receiving means for receiving a cash cassette;

control means for receiving the commands issued by the operator; and

optical communication means for communicating with a cash cassette received in the receiving means, wherein

the optical communication means is operative to issue commands to the cash cassette in accordance with the commands received by the control means; and

wherein the optical communication means is moveable between an active position, in which the optical communication means is able to communicate with complementary optical communication means of a cash cassette, and an inactive position, in which the optical communication means of the ATM does not impede removal of a cash cassette from the receiving means.
A system according to claim 8 wherein the ATM further comprises the features of any one of claims 1 to 7.
A cassette for receiving and storing bank notes, the cassette comprising:
an enclosure for receiving the bank notes to be stored;

a spoiling system which can be activated on command to dispense a spoiling agent into the enclosure; and

a radio transmitter which is operative to transmit a radio signal on activation of the spoiling system.
A cassette according to claim 10, further comprising optical communication means for communicating with an ATM in which the cassette can be received.
A cassette according to claim 11 wherein the optical communication means comprises infra-red transmission and receiving means which are configured to communicate with complementary infra-red receiving and transmission means provided in an ATM in which the cash cassette can be received.
A cassette according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the radio signal contains a code identifying the cassette.