GB2141407A - Cash dispensing - Google Patents

Abstract

A method and apparatus for dispensing cash is described, the apparatus comprising a receipt store (2') and one or more banknote stores (2). Means for dispensing banknotes and receipts from the stores (2,2') along a common flow path (4) towards a dispensing opening are provided whereby receipts enter the flow path (4) upstream of the banknotes. Printing means (16, 17) adjacent the flow path (4) are provided for printing information on the receipts, the arrangement being such that the printed receipt moves along the flow path (4) upstream of the banknotes. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Cash dispensing The invention relates to methods and apparatus for dispensing cash.

Typical cash dispensers dispense banknotes from stores towards a dispensing opening atthecom mand of a user and an example of such apparatus is shown in our International Specification No. W082/ 23287.

It is often necessary to provide a receipt for the transaction which is carried out and previous methods of achieving this have been complex. In one example, receipts are dispensed from a receipt store along an auxiliary flow path so that they pass a printing station at which information concerning the transaction is printed on the receipt and the receipt is then dispensed to a user. This is complex since different flow paths are required for the receipt and bank notes. Attempts to return the printed receipt to the main flow path have also involved complex apparatus since timing control becomes important in order to prevent interference between the receipt and the banknotes.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a method of dispensing cash comprises dispensing a receipt from a receipt store along a flow path towards a dispensing opening; printing information on the receipt in the flow path at a printing station; and dispensing banknotes along the flow path downstream of the printing station whereby the banknotes move along the flow path downstream of the printed receipt.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, cash dispensing apparatus comprises a receipt store and one or more banknote stores; means for dispensing banknotes and receipts from the stores along a common flow path towards a dispensing opening, whereby receipts enter the flow path upstream of the banknotes; and printing means arranged adjacent the flow path for printing information on the receipts, the arrangement being such that the printed receipt moves along the flow path upstream of the banknotes.

With this invention, the problems of more than one flow path are avoided by dispensing the receipt along a common flow path with the banknotes, and by arranging for the receipt to be dispensed upstream of the banknotes interference between the banknotes and receipt is avoided.

Preferably, the printing step is carried out while banknotes are being dispensed along the flow path.

This may be achieved if the means for dispensing the receipt acts more slowly than the means for dispensing the banknotes whereby in use a receipt is dispensed from the receipt store and printed while the banknotes are being dispensed from the banknote store or stores.

This minimises the time required to complete a given transaction and is importantwherefrequent use of the apparatus is made.

Preferably, the banknotes and the receipt are dispensed to a user through a common dispensing opening. This may easily be achieved with the invention where the banknotes and the receipt move along a common flow path and again minimises the complexity of the apparatus.

Conveniently, the receipt and banknote stores are vertically spaced from each other, the lowermost store comprising the receipt store. This provides a particularly simple way of carrying out the invention by physically positioning the receipt store upstream of the banknote store or stores.

An example of a method and apparatus in accordance with the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an end elevation of a cash dispensing apparatus; Figure 2 is a side elevation of the apparatus shown in Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a plan of the apparatus shown in Figures 1 and 2.

The cash dispensing apparatus shown in the drawings comprises a machine housing 1 for six feed modules. Five cassettes 2 for storing banknotes of different demoninations and a cassette 2' for storing blank receipt slips are located one in each feed module, the cassette 2' being below the cassettes 2. The housing 1 is securelyclosed by a door 3.

Different mixes of banknotes are fed one by one from the cassettes 2, on command from the operator, along a flow path 4to a delivery module 5. The flow path 4 passes through a device 6 for detecting multiple notes following which the flow path is divided into two directions by a diverter 7.

At the ends of the divided flow paths 8 and 8', are stacker wheels 9 and 9' which co-operate with stripper plates 10 and 10' to stack a supply of multi-denominational banknotes on respective stacker platforms A and B, one at each end of the dispensing apparatus. Each platform has a dump facility in the form of a pivotable section 11 and 11' to dump the stack of banknotes, when required, into reject compartments 12 and 12' respectively.

The stacking platforms A and B are angled to permit a neat stacking of the banknotes and each platform has a transporting means in the form of a pusher plate 13 and 13' respectively.

When a correct dispense is stacked on, for example, stacking plafform A, the pusher plate 13 pushes the stack of banknotes to one of two dispensing stations or customer access points 14A, 14A' for removal by the customer or operator who fed the command into the apparatus via one of the 'key-in' terminals 15A, 15A'.

This arrangement thus provides a multi-station banknote dispensing apparatus the overall control of which is effected by means of a programmed microprocessor, as described in detail in our International Patent Specification No. W082/023287.

In use, a command for a sum of money is fed into one of four key-in terminals 15A, 15A', 15B, 1 5B' at one of the four dispensing stations 14A, 14A', 14B, and 14B' respectively. The requested sum of money is fed by feed rollers 4' (only some of which are shown) from the feed modules along the feed path 4 via the multiple detection device 6. The diverter 7 routes the banknotes along one or other of the paths 8 or 8' where they are stacked by the stacking wheels 9 or 9' on the platforms A or B respectively.

Correctly dispensed banknotes are fed to the selected platform, i.e. the platform at the end of the apparatus from which the command was made. The detector 6 also counts the single notes as they pass it.

The apparatus also comprises a print wheel 16 adjacent the receipt slip cassette 2' and a print head 17. In use, while banknotes are fed from the cassettes 2 along the flow path 4, a blank receipt slip is fed from the cassette 2' and is indexed past the print wheel 16 and the print head 17 at a rate slower than that at which the banknotes are being fed out of the cassettes 2 to enable information regarding the transaction to be printed on the receipts. The receipt slip will be fed relatively slowly past the print head 17 to allow printing to be carried out and will follow the banknotes from the cassettes 2 along the flow path 4 and will then be dispensed either with the banknotes or directly after the banknotes at the appropriate dispensing station 14A, 14A', 14B, 14B'.

The relative speeds at which banknotes are fed from the cassettes 2 and at which a receipt slip is fed from the cassette 2' will be arranged such thatforthe largest demonination to be dispensed all the banknotes will be dispensed from the cassettes 2 before the printed receipt is fed along the flow path 4 past the lower most cassette 2.

Claims (8)

1. A method of dispensing cash, the method comprising dispensing a receiptfrom a receipt store along a flow path towards a dispensing opening; printing information on the receipt in the flow path at a printing station; and dispensing banknotes along the flow path downstream of the printing station whereby the banknotes move along the flow path downstream of the printed receipt.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the printing step is carried out while banknotes are being dispensed along the flow path.

3. A method according to claim 1, substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

4. Cash dispensing apparatus, the apparatus comprising a receipt store and one or more banknote stores; means for dispensing bank-notes and receipts from the stores along a common flow path towards a dispensing opening, whereby receipts enter the flow path upstream of the banknotes; and printing means arranged adjacent the flow path for printing information on the receipts, the arrangement being such that the printed receipt moves along the flow path upstream of the banknotes.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the banknotes and receipts are dispensed to a user through a common dispensing opening.

6. Apparatus according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the means for dispensing the receipts acts more slowly than the means for dispensing banknotes whereby in use a receipt is dispensed from the receipt store and printed while the banknotes are being dispensed from the banknote store or stores.

7. Apparatus according to any of claims 4to 6, wherein the receipt and banknote stores are vertically spaced from each other, the lowermost store comprising the receipt store.

8. Apparatus according to claim 4, substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawing.