JPH11240655A - Sheet feeder and operating method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sheet feeder that is for use in a card-operated self-service terminal that dispenses cards, or tickets, receipts and prepaid cards, including an ATM that dispenses bank notes. SOLUTION: The sheet feeder comprises a user interface means and a sheet transfer device T that transfers sheets from a sheet distributing point 29 to a sheet presenting point along a sheet passage P. The sheet transfer device T employs a variable-length belt feed means 40 that is allowed to fix between the first or retracted position where the sheet presenting point adjoins the sheet distributing point 29 and the second or projected position where the sheet presenting point separates from the sheet distributing point 29.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a self-service terminal (Self Service T) such as an automatic teller machine (hereinafter referred to as "ATM").
erminal, hereinafter referred to as “SST”. ) Relates to a sheet feeder for distributing sheets.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art ATM has a function control for distributing cash, receiving cash, receiving checks, issuing receipts, issuing periodic account notices, and receiving invoices for payment. Have. Other SSTs perform similar functions but do not handle cash. The SST distributes tickets or maps or prepaid cards such as telephone cards. The term sheet is used herein to include hard copies of printed information resulting from performing the functions described for ATM and SST, as well as cash in the form of banknotes. SST and ATM are operated by a card that carries data to identify the user and authorize its use, for example, magnetic data on the card or data on a "smart card" with a semiconductor chip. . Alternatively, such a sheet feeder may use some other user identification and authorization means, such as biometric means.

In general, in addition to the necessary electronics and computer processor controls, ATMs include a user interface, a cash dispensing slot, and a presentation module, which includes a transport mechanism or sheet transport device for presenting sheets. . The user interface may include a card input slot or other user identification means, a display and a keyboard pad.
In operation, a transport mechanism transports sheets from a processor in the ATM to an exit or presentation slot for removal by a customer. For safety, external access to the exit slot is usually prevented by at least one shutter, which is normally closed and only opened when the sheet is transferred to the exit slot for removal by the customer.

[0004] SSTs (including ATMs) are usually located behind walls, which have suitable holes through which sheets can be transported and distributed (so-called "wall through" equipment). Walls for such purposes are outdoors or indoors, and vary in thickness from a few millimeters to more than half a meter. S
STs are often stand-alone for presenting sheets directly to customers (so-called "indoor / lobby" facilities) and do not need to transport sheets through walls. Therefore, if the equipment is different, the distance between the position where the sheet is distributed from the processor in the SST (“sheet distribution point”) and the position where the sheet is presented to the customer (“sheet presentation point”) is different. Until now, different transport mechanisms suitable for different installations had to be developed and tested.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to create a sheet feeder such as an ATM or SST with a sheet transfer device that can be used for various types of equipment.

[0006]

According to the present invention, there is provided a user interface means and a sheet transfer device for transferring a sheet from a sheet distribution point to a sheet presentation point along a sheet path, the sheet transfer device comprising: A sheet feeding means adjustable in length from a first retracted position in which the presentation point is adjacent to the sheet distribution point to a second projecting position in which the sheet presentation point is displaced from the sheet distribution point. Is provided.

[0007] By providing a variable length belt feeding means, the sheet transfer device can be adjusted to suit indoor / lobby facilities, where the sheet presentation point may be adjacent to the sheet distribution point and the wall may be adjusted to a suitable location. It may be through equipment, in which case sheets need to be transported through different wall thicknesses.

[0008] The belt supply means preferably comprises at least one endless supply belt supported on the carriage to define a sheet path, whereby the carriage moves away from the sheet distribution point when the carriage moves away from the sheet distribution point. As the length increases, the overall length of the supply belt path remains constant.

[0009] By using an endless supply belt supported in this manner, the tension of the supply belt is automatically maintained when adjusted, eliminating the need for a separate belt tensioning mechanism.

According to one aspect of the invention, the sheet comprises two
The sheet is transported along a sheet path between two endless supply belts, which grip the sheet and form a pinch area therebetween for transport from the sheet distribution point to the sheet presentation point.

One of the supply belts is resiliently movable away from the other supply belt against the force of the biasing means, and the sheet transfer device moves one along the sheet path.
Make it possible to transport both sheets and stacked sheets.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the variable length belt feeding means moves from the retracted position to the extended position when the sheet transfer device needs to transfer the sheet. It is preferable to provide a sheet presentation slot through which the belt supply means passes when in the protruding position.

By moving the belt supply means to the protruding position only when the sheet needs to be transferred,
The belt supply can be securely held away from the sheet presentation slot whenever not in use, thus reducing the chance of unauthorized fraud or destructive access to the belt supply.

Further, by operating the currently available ATM, the sheet protrudes from the presentation slot up to a maximum presentation length of 18 mm, and a person who has no inconvenience in handling can grasp the protruded one, but it can be used for arthritic patients and the like. People who are inconvenient to handle may not be able to do so. As a result, in certain countries, particularly Australia and the United States, manufacturers of ATMs and other sheet feeders that dispense sheets require strict design guidelines and regulations that require sheets to protrude a distance on the order of 30 mm from exit slots. Must conform to By extending the belt feeding means through the sheet presenting slot according to this embodiment, the presenting module can present the sheet a longer distance from the presenting slot than currently available sheet feeders. In this way, customers who are inconvenient to handle can more easily remove sheets from the sheet feeder.

The sheet feeding apparatus according to this embodiment is preferably provided with a shutter for opening and closing the sheet presentation slot, and a means for opening the shutter when the belt supply means moves from the retracted position to the extended position.

In this way, the shutter normally closes the sheet distribution slot for safety, but opens at a point determined by the need to dispense the sheet.

Conveniently, the belt feeding means is mounted for angular movement around the sheet distribution point so that the sheet presentation point can be located at a variable angular displacement from the sheet distribution point.

By equipping the belt feed means for angular movement about the sheet distribution point, the counter is transferred to a sheet presentation point, which may be lower or higher than the sheet distribution point, to suit a particular facility. Thus, the presentation module can be adjusted. In addition, such an arrangement also allows the tall and low people to operate the sheet feeder at a height or angle that is comfortable for all users alike, so that the seat presentation point or even the entire control panel is at a height. Can produce an adjustable or pivotable SST.

A transport mechanism designed for use in an ATM according to the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0020]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIG. 1 shows a sheet presentation or dispensing slot 20, such as a magnetic card input slot 12, a display 14, a keypad 16, and a cash dispensing slot.
1 shows an ATM 10 having the following.

The control system of the ATM 10 is shown in FIG.
Here, the processor 22 receives input from the keypad 16 and controls the display 14 so that the cash distribution slot 2
It is connected to control a cash counting and dispensing system 24 connected to zero. The processor 22 is connected by a connection 26 to the central authorization system of the ATM 10 operated by the financial institution.

A card reader 30 is also connected to the processor 22, the card reader 30 being a standard data head 32, a standard sheet feeder drive 34 for moving cards in and out of the reader 30, and a card damage detector. 36.

FIG. 3 shows a conventional AT in a wall-through facility.
5 shows a presentation module of M10 and a portion of a cash distribution slot. The cash distribution slot 20 is formed at an appropriate position on the operation panel wall 21 mounted flush with the outside of the outer wall 23,
A closed portion of the hole 25 therein is formed. The cash distribution slot 20 has two shutters, namely, the operation panel shutter 2
9A and the internal shutter 20B.
Shutters 20A and 20B are mounted in a known manner to cover and expose sheet distribution slot 20 in response to signals received from sensors (not shown) according to instructions received from processor 22. The wall 23 is of standard construction and has a thickness on the order of 33 cm. The transfer mechanism comprises two endless supply belts 38 and 40 supported on upper and lower pulleys 42 and 44, respectively, which grip cash and provide an ATM (not shown).
A pinch area is formed therebetween for transfer from the processing and dispensing position through the hole 25 to the cash dispensing slot 20.

The transfer mechanism of FIG. 3 is specifically designed for a wall through facility, where the wall 23 is of a defined thickness and the cash distribution slot 20 is at the appropriate height. If the wall thickness is thicker or thinner, it is completely unsuitable for the installation. That is, whether the transfer mechanism ends before the cash distribution slot 20 or
This is because it extends through the operation panel wall 21. Therefore, different transfer mechanisms are required for equipment with different wall thicknesses.

To overcome the cost of designing, manufacturing, testing and installing a full range of different transport mechanisms for different installations, the inventor of the present invention has provided an adjustable system that can be used for a variety of installations with different wall thicknesses. Invented a new transfer mechanism. One embodiment also offers the possibility to be used in installations with different outlet slot heights and to provide an SST in which the height or angle of the control panel is completely adjustable.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show a sheet feeding apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 4 shows a transfer mechanism T and a cash distribution slot 20 according to the invention in a wall-through facility. 3, the cash distribution slot 20 is formed at an appropriate position on the operation panel wall 21 which forms a closed portion in the hole 25 of the wall 23. Although the shutter is not shown in FIG. 4, it is clear that the shutter can be mounted. The wall 23 is of standard construction and has a thickness on the order of 33 cm. Transfer mechanism T
Have two respective pulleys 31, 35, 43 and 3
It includes upper and lower endless supply belts 38 and 40 supported on series 3, 37, 45, respectively. The pulley comprises two pairs 31/33 and 43/45, a pinch area formed between the supply belts supported on each pair of pulleys, and two belt winding pulleys 35 and 37. The sheet path P is connected to pulleys 31/33 and 43
/ 45 defined by the pinch area between the supply belts supported between the two pairs.

The first pair of pulleys 31 and 33
9 where cash is distributed after processing in the ATM. The second pair of pulleys 43 and 45 are mounted on a carriage (not shown), which includes a first retracted position where the pulleys 43 and 45 are adjacent to the fixed pulleys 31 and 33, and a pulley 43 and 45 which is connected to an ATM. Between the second protruding position displaced from the fixed pulley by a predetermined distance according to the maximum thickness of the wall expected to be installed behind (the left and right when viewed in FIGS. 4 and 5) ). As shown in FIG. 4, the pulleys 43 and 45 are displaced from the fixed pulleys 31 and 33 and are arranged behind the cash distribution slot 20 in the control panel wall 21, so that the sheet path P extends approximately the thickness of the wall 23. The belt take-up pulleys 35 and 37 are connected to pulleys 43 and 4
The same carriage as 5 is mounted at a position suitable for winding up the slack of the supply belts 38 and 40. Since the belt take-up pulleys 35 and 37 are mounted on the same carriage, the length of the supply belt path always remains the same, regardless of the position of the carriage, so that the tension of the supply belt is kept constant. You. A further supply mechanism 39 distributes the cash to the location 29 after processing by the ATM.

If cash needs to be distributed, the ATM processes the required amount and the cash is transferred to position 2 by the supply mechanism 39.
Distribute to 9. At position 29, the cash is transferred to pulley 3 of the transfer mechanism.
It is fed to a pinch area between feed belts supported between 1 and 33. Next, the transfer mechanism is activated by a sensor (not shown), and feed belts 38 and 40 move cash around the pulleys from location 29 along holes 25 in wall 23 along sheet path P, where cash is shown. In the direction of transfer through cash dispensing slot 20 to the position presented to the user, at which point the transfer mechanism is stopped by another sensor (not shown).

FIG. 5 shows the same transfer mechanism of an ATM according to the invention, but this time in an indoor / lobby facility, without walls 23, and the cash distribution slot 20 with cash distributed by the supply mechanism 39 after processing in the ATM. Close to the position 29. In this case, the carriage on which the pulleys 43 and 45 are mounted is
In the retracted position where the pulleys 43 and 45 are arranged adjacent to the fixed pulleys 31 and 33, behind the cash distribution slot 20 in the control panel wall 21. Belt take-up pulley 35
And 37 are mounted on the same carriage so that they are also in the retracted position and the tension on the supply belt is kept constant.

The transfer mechanism described with respect to FIGS. 4 and 5 can be an indoor / lobby facility (as in FIG. 5) or a wall-through facility (as in FIG. 4) where the walls are less than the predetermined thickness described above. It is understood that it can be used for. Further, as an alternative structure, instead of being mounted on the same carriage as the pulleys 43 and 45, the belt take-up pulleys 35 and 37 can be mounted on interlocking devices connected to the carriage to provide space available for specific equipment. Accordingly, the winding pulley can be moved in a direction different from that of the carriage, while performing a function of maintaining a constant tension of the supply belt.

FIG. 6 shows an ATM transfer mechanism similar to that shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, except that pulleys 35, 37 and 43 are provided.
The carriage fitted with and 45 can be further modified to tilt about a pivot point at position 29. Therefore, the pulleys 43 and 45
1 and 33, not only at the position of the cash distribution slot 20 on the operation panel wall 21 as described above and shown by the dotted line in FIG. 6, but also around the pivot point. The angular movement of the carriage also allows the pulleys 43 and 45 to move up and down (as shown by the solid lines in FIG. 6) to be behind the cash distribution slots 20 of different heights.

The transfer mechanism described with reference to FIG. 6 also offers the possibility of providing an ATM with a control panel that can be adjusted in height or angle within the limits of operation governed by the carriage.

FIG. 7 shows the working and dispensing end of another previously proposed transfer mechanism installed in an ATM 10. As described above with respect to FIG. 3, the distribution slot 20 is
1 and is opened and closed by a control panel shutter 20A and an internal shutter 20B. Shutters 20A and 20B are mounted in a known manner to cover and expose sheet distribution slot 20 in response to signals received from sensors (not shown) according to instructions received from processor 22. The sensor has a centerline AB arranged to sense the leading edge of the sheet distributed between the pinch points of the upper and lower transport belts supported by the upper and lower pulleys 42 and 44.

In general, the small banknotes dispensed by the ATM 10 of FIG. 7 have a minimum leading edge width of 54 mm. The conventional safe provided at the ATM has a wall thickness of about 12.7 mm, and the cash distribution slot is protected by shutters 20A and 20B.
In consideration of the dimensions given by, the sheet protrudes from the operation panel shutter 29A by a maximum distance of 54-36 = 18 mm. In the introductory part of this specification, A
Mention was made of certain countries, especially Australia and the United States, that have established guidelines that need to increase the minimum value of sheet protruding to assist in the operation of the TM. FIG. 7 shows that the wall thickness is 10.7 mm and the distance from the inner surface to the outer surface of the operation panel shutter 20A is 23.4 m.
The wall of the safe, m, is also shown.

In order to meet the requirements of these guidelines, the transfer mechanism according to the present invention, including a displaceable retractable carriage, can present sheets at a distance on the order of 30 mm or more from the control panel shutter 20A. Such a transfer mechanism including a retractable carriage is shown in FIGS.

Referring to FIG. 8, the transfer mechanism T has a retractable carriage R illustrated as being in a retracted non-sheet presenting position with the angularly displaced shutter 20B in a closed position. The retractable carriage R is provided with two identical chassis side plates 4 arranged with an operation clearance outside each vertical edge of the upper and lower continuous belts 38 and 40.
6 (see also FIGS. 9, 10 and 11). The chassis side plate 46 has an upper belt guide 48 and a lower belt guide 50 (see also FIG. 10 and FIG. 11) and rollers 56, 56 "mounted thereon, and as shown in FIGS. A spaced parallel relationship is maintained with the passing roller shafts 52 and 54.

The upper belt guide 48 is provided on the chassis side plate 4.
6, the lower belt guide 50 is angularly displaced relative to the axis 50 '. See FIG. 8, FIG. 9, FIG. 10 and FIG. To maintain a roll gap between the upper and lower belts 38 and 40 passing over the rollers 58 and 60 during sheet distribution, a torsion spring 50TS (see FIGS. 10 and 11) supported on a shaft 50 'is shown in FIGS. The lower belt guide 50 is biased clockwise as viewed in FIGS. Due to the angular displacement of the lower belt guide 50, the minimum thickness is 0.1mm
Sheet and a sheet with a maximum thickness of 10.0 mm can be distributed. The position of the lower guide belt 50 for distributing the minimum and maximum amount of sheets is shown in FIG.
And Z1 and Z2 in FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 8, 9, 14 and 15, the upper belt 38 and the lower belt (omitted for clarity in FIGS. 14 and 15) further comprise an upper roller 62 and a lower roller 64. Supported by the shaft 66
And 68. The axes 66/68 are respectively
Acts as a spacer for the two side panels 70 of the transport mechanism T.

The retractable carriage R has three gears 72, 7
4 and 76 (see FIGS. 8, 9, 14, and 15)
A stepper motor (not shown) driving the two rows according to FIG. 8 allows reciprocation between the retracted position in FIG. 8 and the sheet presentation position in FIG. Each gear train is supported within a side panel 70 as shown (particularly FIG.
4 and FIG. 15), two drive gears 72
Are mounted on a common drive shaft 78. Three rollers 78A are also mounted on the drive shaft 78, and the three rollers are connected to the upper belt 38 as shown in FIGS.
To support the travel path. During the reciprocating movement, the retractable carriage R slides between a pair of an upper guide 80 and a lower guide 82 carried by the side plate 70 of the transfer mechanism T. The upper guide 80 and the lower guide 82 each have two U-shaped notches for receiving rollers 85 (see FIGS. 14 and 15) of a shutter interlock mechanism described below.

The amount of reciprocation of the retractable carriage R is governed by:

Each of the two gear trains 72, 74, 76 is secured to a respective gear 76 and is movable within a slot 88 formed in each chassis panel 46 of the retractable carriage R (see also FIGS. 10 and 11). ) Pin 86 (see FIGS. 8, 9 and 15).

The pins 90 (see FIGS. 8, 9 and 15) fixed to each side plate 70 of the transfer mechanism T are inserted into slots 92 (see also FIGS. 10 and 11) cut into each chassis side plate 46. The longitudinal side of the slot 92 serves to guide the reciprocating movement of the retractable carriage R, and the end of the slot 92 determines the range of the reciprocating movement of the carriage R.

Pins 94 (see FIGS. 8, 9 and 15) fixed to each side plate 70 of the transfer mechanism T serve as guides in open end slots 96 formed in each chassis plate 46. The open end slot 96 is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 by a dotted line and in FIGS. 10 and 11 by a solid line.

The retractable carriage R moves forward from the position shown in FIG. 8 to the position shown in FIG.
The upper and lower belts 38 while presenting the seat to the user through the
/ 40 is a suitable series of pulleys (58, 56 ', 6
2) and (60, 56, 64) are effectively separated, thus keeping the tension of the upper and lower belts 38/40 constant,
Prevent its additional stretching.

While the retractable carriage R moves from the position shown in FIG. 8 to the position shown in FIG. 9, the shutter 20B is angularly displaced so that sheets can be presented through the sheet distribution slot 20. The angular displacement of the shutter 20B is performed via two multi-link interlocks driven by the ram solenoid 5, which will now be described.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the shutter 20B and the multi-link interlocking device. In order to operate the shutter 20B in a well-balanced manner, each end position of the shutter is attached to a corresponding link of each interlocking device.

The corresponding link of each interlocking device is designated by the same reference number. Each link has three links 900,
With links 901 and 902, link 900 is attached to shutter 20B and pivotally connected to link 901 at 903. The link 902 is U-shaped as shown and the leg 902A is pivotally connected to the link 901 at 904. The drive link 905 with the tongue 902A also
04 and the solenoid plunger SP. Each link 900 has a pin 94 '(FIG. 15) which acts as a fulcrum for the shutter during the movement of the retractable carriage R.
(See FIG. 2). Each arm 902A of the link 902 has a hole 902B for attachment to the roller 85, and the roller is disposed in the U-shaped notch 84 of the upper guide 80 as described above. Each link 901 has a detent 9
01A (shown by dotted lines in FIGS. 8 and 9 and shown by solid lines in FIGS. 13, 14 and 15), and as seen in FIGS. 8 and 15, the link 901 is closed at the closed position of the shutter 20B. It engages with a pin 90 which acts both as a stop.

The operation of each of the interlocking devices 900, 901 and 902, and thus the operation of the shutter 20B, is controlled by applying a voltage to the solenoid 5, and the position of each interlocking device is indicated by a tongue 905A shown in FIG. It is detected by the sensor SR1 depending on whether the shutter is closed or the shutter is opened.

The application of voltage to the solenoid is synchronized with the operation of a stepper motor (not shown),
2, 74, 76, thus driving the retractable carriage from the position shown in FIG. 8 to the position shown in FIG. 9 and vice versa.

As described above, the interlocking devices 900, 901,
In addition to the sensor SR1 that detects the position of the shutter 902 and the shutter 20B, the second sensor SR2 (see FIG. 12)
It serves to detect when a sheet has been removed from the ATM 10. The sensor SR2 is carried by the upper guide plate 48 and is pivotally mounted on the shaft 801.
00 (see FIG. 12). The sensor arm has a tongue 800A, which, when the sensor arm 800 pivots, is in an "in" or "out" position on the sensor yoke 800B. FIGS. 8 and 9 show a sensor 80
The "in" and "out" positions of 0A are indicated by dotted lines, and the multi-crank configuration of the sensing arm 800 is also shown.
Senses the removal of the sheet from the exit slot 20 of the ATM 10.

From the above description of the present invention, the carriage R is moved from the position of FIG. 8 to the position of FIG. 9 by the stepper motor (not shown). Gear trains 72, 74, 76 and pins /
The carriage R is driven through the slots 86/88. The carriage R has upper and lower sheet guides 48/50 to which pulleys 58 and 60 are attached, respectively,
And two idler shafts 52/54 fitted with 6 'and 56. The carriage R includes a loop of transfer belts 38 and 40 wrapped around a series of pulleys as shown in FIGS. Seat guide 48 /
Pulleys 58 and 60 carried by 50 can include a stack of sheet documents having a minimum thickness of 0.1 mm and sheets having a maximum thickness of 10 mm while entering opening 20 of the safe. As the carriage moves forward from the position of FIG. 8 to the position of FIG. 9, the belt 38/40 substantially pulley 56 '.
And 56, thus keeping the tension of the belt 38/40 constant during the movement of the carriage and reducing its additional tension. The carriage R also includes a sensing device SR2 that detects when a sheet is removed, after which the carriage R retracts and the shutter 20B closes for safety.

The present invention has been described with reference to an ATM arranged to distribute small banknotes with the long side first.
This can also be applied to ATMs configured to distribute small sized receipts, or SSTs configured to distribute small sized tickets, etc.
The ticket may be as small as a conventional credit card, or the SST may dispense a similar size credit card, for example a prepaid telephone card.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ATM having a card reader and a cash distribution slot.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an ATM control system.

FIG. 3 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of a transfer mechanism proposed so far for an ATM for a wall-through facility.

FIG. 4 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of an ATM transfer mechanism and a cash distribution slot according to the present invention in a wall-through facility.

5 is a partial longitudinal sectional view similar to FIG. 4 of the indoor / lobby equipment.

FIG. 6 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of a second embodiment of a transfer mechanism and a cash distribution slot of an ATM according to the present invention in a wall-through facility.

FIG. 7 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of a previously proposed ATM transport mechanism, included for comparative purposes.

FIG. 8 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of a third embodiment of the transfer mechanism, showing the retractable carriage in the retracted position.

FIG. 9 is a partial longitudinal sectional view similar to FIG. 8, with the retractable carriage within the sheet presentation point.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view from above of the retractable carriage removed from the transfer mechanism, as discussed with respect to FIGS. 8 and 9;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view from below of the retractable carriage removed from the transfer mechanism, as considered with respect to FIGS. 8 and 9;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a top guide of the retractable carriage of FIGS. 8 and 9;

FIG. 13 is a top perspective view of the retractable carriage shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 and an electromagnetic shutter and an interlocking device.

FIG. 14 is a top perspective view of the transfer mechanism of FIGS. 8 and 9 with the retractable carriage removed.

FIG. 15 is a partial exploded view similar to FIG. 14, with the frame panel on one side of the transport mechanism removed and showing the upper and lower fixed guides guiding the operation of the retractable carriage between the positions depicted in FIGS. 8 and 9; It is an assembly perspective view.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 5 RAM solenoid 10 ATM 12 Magnetic card input slot 14 Display 16 Keypad 20 Cash distribution slot 20A Shutter 20B Shutter 21 Operation panel wall 22 Processor 23 Outer wall 24 Cash distribution system 25 Hole 26 Connection 27 Cash 29 Position 30 Card reader 31 Pulley 32 Data head 33 Pulley 34 Mechanical drive 35 Pulley 36 Card damage detection device 37 Pulley 38 Endless supply belt 39 Supply mechanism 40 Endless supply belt 42 Upper pulley 43 Pulley 44 Lower pulley 45 Pulley 46 Chassis side plate 48 Upper belt guide 50 Lower belt guide 52 Roller shaft 54 Roller shaft 56 Roller 56 "Roller 62 Upper roller 64 Lower roller 66 Axis 68 Axis 70 Side Panel 72 Gear 74 Gear 76 Gear 78 Drive shaft 78A Roller 80 Upper guide 82 Lower guide 84 Notch 85 Roller 86 Pin 88 Slot 90 Pin 92 Slot 94 Pin 96 Open end slot 800 Sensor arm 800A Tone 800B Sensor yoke 800C 801 axis 900 link 900A hole 901 link 902 link 902A arm 902B hole 905 drive link 905A

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Inventor David Jay McMillan United Kingdom Scotland Dundee DD2 2AP Scott Street 43 (72) Inventor William Rice United Kingdom Scotland Dundee DD3 7RE Mains Road 28 E (72) Inventor Timothy Wiggins United Kingdom Scotland Perth PH14 9TQ Ink Meadow View Drive 55

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. User interface means (16)
A sheet transfer device (T) for transferring a sheet from the sheet distribution point (29) to the sheet presentation point along the sheet path (P); and a first retraction adjacent to the sheet distribution point (29) of the sheet presentation point. A sheet feeding device, comprising: a variable length belt feeding means (40) adjustable between a position and a second protruding position in which a sheet presentation point is displaced from a sheet distribution point (29). 2. A belt supply means having at least one belt supported on a carriage (R) to define a sheet path (P).
With the endless supply belt (40) so that when the carriage (R) moves away from the sheet distribution point (29), the total length of the supply belt (40) increases while the length of the sheet path (P) increases. 2. The sheet feeder according to claim 1, wherein the sheet feeder is maintained. 3. A system for holding and transporting sheets from a sheet distribution point (29) to a sheet presentation point.
3. The sheet feeder according to claim 2, wherein the two endless supply belts form a pinch area therebetween. 4. A sheet transfer device (T) wherein one of the supply belts (40) is elastically movable away from the other supply belt (38) against the force of the bias applying means (50TS). The sheet feeding device according to claim 3, wherein the sheet feeding device can transfer either one sheet or an overlapped sheet along the sheet path (P). 5. A variable length belt supply means (40) when a sheet transfer device (T) needs to transfer a sheet.
The sheet feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the member moves from a retracted position to a protruded position. 6. The sheet feeding device according to claim 5, wherein the sheet supply slot through which the belt supply means passes when in the extended position. 7. A shutter (20B) for opening and closing the sheet presentation slot (20), and a belt supply means (4).
7. The sheet feeding device according to claim 6, further comprising means (SP) for opening a shutter when (0) moves from the retracted position to the extended position. 8. A belt supply means (40) mounted for angular movement about the sheet distribution point (29),
8. A sheet feeder according to claim 1, wherein the sheet presentation points are arranged at a variable angular displacement from the sheet distribution point (29). 9. A method of operating a sheet feeder, the sheet feeder comprising: a user interface means (16); a sheet distribution slot (20); A sheet transfer device (T) for transferring the sheet to a sheet distribution point along the line, the sheet transfer device (T) including a variable length belt supply means (40), and by identifying a user, Receiving a command from the user interface means; preparing a sheet corresponding to the received command; and belt feeding means (40) from a first retracted position behind the distribution slot (20). Adjusting the variable length belt supply means (40) to a second overhanging position, which extends through the dispensing slot 20; Method of operating a sheet feeding device which comprises the steps of dispensing a sheet to retrieve, the.