MXPA00005154A - Automated banking machine with self auditing capabilities and system - Google Patents

Abstract

An automated banking machine (10) identifies and stores in storage areas documents such as currency bills deposited by a user. The machine selectively recovers such documents from storage areas and dispenses them. The machine includes a central transport (70) wherein documents deposited in a stack are unstacked, oriented and identified. Such documents are then routed to storage areas in canisters (92, 94, 96, 98). Documents in the storage areas are selectively picked therefrom and delivered to a user through an input/output area (50) of the machine. Each canister includes a memory (626) which holds information concerning the number and type of documents housed in the canister as well as other information concerning the hardware and software resident on the canister. The memory also includes data representative of individuals responsible for loading and transporting the canister. The machine conducts self-auditing activities to verify that the documents held in the storage areas correspond to the information stored in memory and indicate discrepancies.

Description

AUTOMATED BA CARIA MACHINE WITH CAPABILITIES AND SELF-ASSISTANCE SYSTEM TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to automated banking machines. Specifically, this invention relates to an automated banking machine that allows bills, notices or other documents deposited by a customer to be identified and stored in the machine, and subsequently selectively supplied to another customer.

ANTECEDENTS OF ART Automated banking machines are known in the prior art. A popular type of automated banking machines is an ATM machine. Other types of automated banking machines are used to cont and stock cash. These machines are often used by tellers or customer service representatives in the banking and other transactions environments.

ATM machines commonly use accept deposits from customers and process deposits using the devices which are separate from the devices which supply the tickets and other items to the customers. Most commonly depositors of an ATM machine require customers to place deposits in an envelope. The envelope is accepted in the machine for storage. Even when the client indicates the value of the contents of the envelope, the customer's account is often not credited by the amount of the deposit until the envelope removed from the ATM machine by a bank staff and the contents are verified.

Other ATM machines have the ability to receive checks and other negotiable instruments. Such machines may include a device such as that shown in U.S. Patent No. 5,422,467. Devices of this type can be used to cancel and produce electronic check machines which are deposited in an ATM machine. Canceled checks are stored in the machine for later removal by bank staff.

Money bills, traveler's checks and other documents and sheet materials are commonly stocked by the ATM machine and are generally housed in the machine in removable cans. The sheets are raised from the cans and delivered by the machine a. Customers Periodically these cans must be removed from the machine and the supply of the sheets must then be filled out. This is a labor of intensive activity. To replace the cans, a safe part of the ATM machine must be open. The cans in the machine must be removed and in new cans which include a new supply of sheets must be placed in the machine. Alternatively, the cans in the machine must be opened, money or other sheets must be added and then replaced. After the boats are placed again the assurance part of the machine must be closed.

The replacement or resupply of the bots often requires transporting the machine-filled boats and returning the partially-depleted boats to a remote lug. Even when efforts have been made to design bots to minimize opportunities for looting, there is always some risk. Therefore, such activities were normally carried out by armed transporters. More than one person is often assigned to any task where h access to cash or other values in the machine. Because many individuals may be involved in loading replacement boats, transporting replacement boats to ATM machines, replacing boats, returning boats removed and auditing the contents of returned boats, often It is difficult to identify the cause of any losses.

The need to periodically replace cash cans is an inconvenience because the ATM machine must be closed. Customers are not able to use the ATM machine while the cash supply is being refilled, and opportunities to carry out transactions are lost and this may result in customer dissatisfaction. Clients will also be disappointed if the filling operations were not carried out frequently enough, and the machine is bent on cash or other documents.

Other types of automated banking machines, such as those that supply cash to customer service representatives, have the same disadvantages as ATM machines. The periodic resupply of cash or other valuable documents that are supplied by machine must be done to keep the machine in operation. Even when such machines accelerate the customer's effective assortment service, there is a significant cost associated with segregation, preparation and transportation of cash. before it is placed inside the machine.

Other banking machines have been developed to identify and count cash. Such machines can be used in banking and sales environments. The machines which count the money generally require that the money be preoriented in a particular way to obtain proper identification. This is a consumer of time for the person who operates the machine. Many cash counting machines also tend to reject valid notes due to natural deterioration that occurs in the banknotes or money of the United States of America. The speed associated with such account and cash acceptance machines is also less than desirable in many cases.

The automated banking machines which are capable of receiving the cash, of identifying the particular type and denomination of the tickets, of storing money and of subsequently supplying it to a customer have been used in other countries outside the United States of America. Tale recycling machines are feasible in countries such as Japan where the money bills include a special feature, which facilitates their identification by the machines. However, such recycling machines have not been generally feasible with the money bills of the United States of America which generally do not include special features that facilitate identification by the machine. The tickets of. Money from the United States of America is also subject to a wide range of conditions such as fouled and bleached wear, which do not make a billet suitable for use, but which make it very difficult for a machine to identify it properly.

The money recycling type banking machines that have been developed also generally suffer slow operating speeds. This is particularly true when machines are used to process a number of bills. Frequently, such machines require the bills to be oriented in a particular manner and considerable time is associated with the rejection of the billet due to improper orientation. Handling the sheets to facilitate identification and storage is also a time-consuming process. Once a sheet is initially identified as adequate and has been stored on the machine, there is usually no verification to be sure that the original determination of the type and character of the bill is correct. As a result of this, a customer may receive a wrongly identified note. This can reduce customer satisfaction.

In the operation of automated banking machines, it is not uncommon for operators to add cash to the money canisters without counting the tickets that rest in the boat. This is often done to save time particularly when the operator of the machine does not wish to transport the boats to a remote location for reloading. ATM machines can run for an extended period of time without a real account of the number of tickets in a boat. Frequently when there is an audit there are depancies between the number of bills remaining in the bo and the number that would have been expected to be present based on the amount of cash that the machine has supplied In these situations, it is often difficult to determine the cause The problem is the theft, a bad calculation of the amount inserted in the boat during one of the recarding procedures or errors in the assortment by the machine. Generally in these situations it is not possible to determine the cause of the depancy Cash cans are also set up to supply different types of documents. Some types of documents may require, for example, variations in the force of pressure which move the documents outward to engage the picking mechanism. Currently, if the boat is modified to accommodate a particular type of document, the information must be visibly marked on the boat so that it is not used for other documents.

The document assortment cans may also require periodic maintenance. Such maintenance may involve replacing certain parts of the boat that tend to wear out when the documents are collected. Maintenance is usually recommended after a certain number of cycles. However, when the boats are moved between the various machines there is no way to know exactly how many cycles a particular boat has experienced since the preventive maintenance has been carried out. As a result of this, preventive maintenance can be carried out frequently than necessary or it may not be carried out in a timely manner. In any case they can be unnecessary cost.

The boats are also modified occasionally to improve their operation. Such modifications which are frequently referred to reclassifications may involve changing components which are not easily visible to a person who handles the boat. Currently, the only way to indicate that the boat has been reclassified at an improved level is to physically mark the boat in a way that is easily visible to an individual who handles it. Reclassification of the boat can also result in changes in the operation of or in the operation of the boat. As a result the properties of an ATM machine in which the boat is installed may require modification to accommodate boat reclassifications. If a population of boats includes those with or without reclassifications, complications may arise because certain ATM machines may not be suitable for accepting reclassified boats while others are not able to use boats which have not been reclassified.

Therefore, there is a need for an automated banking machine to recycle cash that is more reliable, that operates more quickly and that can be used with the currencies of the United States of America and others which have a wide range of properties. There is also a need for a system and an automated banking machine which includes self-audit capabilities and which can be used to indicate when there is a discrepancy between a quantity which is indicated as having been placed in a boat at a remote location and the quantity which reaches the machine. There is also a need for an automated banking machine in which the cans indicate to the machine the current configuació level of the boats and which follows the use of the boats to provide an indication of when the preventive maintenance was carried out.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an automated banking machine for the recycling of banknotes.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an automated money recycling machine that is reliable and operates more quickly.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an automated bank recycling machine for money that works with banknotes and other documents having a wide variety of properties.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an automated money recycling machine that is capable of unstacking and separating the documents that enter a stack.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an automated banking machine that orients documents in relation to a sheet path while moving such documents at a high rate of speed.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an automated money recycling machine that can transport a plurality of documents in a sheet path concurrently and at a high speed rate.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an automated banking machine for recycling money that identifies documents and which returns unidentifiable documents to a customer.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an automated banking machine for money recycling that allows a customer to deposit the documents with a bank machine, and after the documents have been identified, the choice to either deposit the documents or return them.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an automated money recycling machine that can identify deposited documents without importing their orientation.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an automated money recycling banking machine that allows the deposited documents to be stored selectively in storage areas in the machine.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an automated money recycling machine that allows the selective storage of documents deposited in removable cans.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an automated bank recycling machine for money that allows a retrieval of the documents stored in the storage areas and to deliver the documents to the customers.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an automated banking machine in which documents can be concurrently transported * oriented stored in storage areas and be supplied from other storage areas within the machine.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an automated banking machine which has self-audit properties.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an automated banking machine which includes removable cash cans which have a programmable memory which indicates the type and number of documents stored in the storage areas in the boat.

It is further an object of the present invention to provide an automated banking machine system which determines whether the number of documents stored in the document bank loaded in the machine corresponds to the number of documents that were loaded into the canister at a remote location.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an automated banking machine which includes cash systems which indicate an actu configuration of the components of the cash cans.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an automated banking machine which includes cash cans which follow the level of use received by the boats.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a system which identifies the discrepancies between the amount of cash loaded in a pot and the effective amount in the pot when it arrives at an automated banking machine.

The additional objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following better modes for carrying out the invention and the appended claims.

The foregoing objects are achieved in a preferred embodiment of the present invention by means of an automated bank money recycling machine. The machine has a document management mechanism which includes an entry / exit area in which a client can insert documents that are to be deposited and from which a client can retrieve documents and can receive them.

A customer deposits documents in a stack through an opening in the machine enclosure. L documents are moved from the entry / exit area to the central transportation. In an unstacking area, the documents are removed from the stack one by one by an unstacked device and separated into a stream of unique separated documents. The documents move along a document path in the central transport. The documents that move in the central transport are stretched to orient them in a suitable manner in relation to the direction of movement along the path of the document. The documents are also moved by an alignment device to align them in a proper centered relation in the document's path.

Each document is then moved beyond the device which operates to identify the type and / or denomination of each document. Acceptable identifiable documents are directed to an escrow area while non-acceptable or non-identifiable documents are directed to a rejection area in the machine's entry / exit area.

A client is informed of any non-identifiable documents through the input and output devices of the machine. Any non-identifiable documents can then be delivered to the customer from the reject area. Alternatively, depending on the machine programming such rejected documents can be stored on machine for further analysis.

The properly identified documents are initially maintained in the escrow area. The devices of exit of the machine indicate to the client the type and / or the val of the identifiable documents. The client preferably enabled to select either having such returned documents or depositing such documents. If the client chooses to return the documents, the documents are passed out of the entry / exit area and the client's account is not accredited by the value of the documents.

If the client chooses to deposit the documents the documents are again moved through the central transport in a stream of documents that are moved quickly. The documents are again identified by the identification device. However, rather than being directed to the reject and escrow areas, the identified documents are now preferably directed by the machine control system to selected storage areas. Storage areas are places in which documents of particular types are stored in the machine. The storage areas in the preferred embodiment machine are areas in a plurality of removable bots. The client's account is accredited by the value of the documents deposited.

The same customer who deposited the documents a subsequent customer who wishes to make a withdrawal from the machine can receive the documents that have previously been stored in the storage areas. The mechanisms of assortment documents associated with the storage areas selectively remove documents from the storage areas response to the control system and direct the central transport documents of the machine. As the documents move through the central transport, they pass through the identification device. The type and denomination of each document that is being supplied is verified. This ensures that the initial identification of the documents made when they were deposited in the machine is correct. This third verification reduces the risk that a customer who withdraws documents from the machine receives an inadequate document. The documents are removed from the storage areas concurrently to facilitate the quick operation of the machine and are controlled in the movement through the remote transport segments and the central transport to ensure that they move as a separate document stream to the pass these the identification device.

The identified documents that are sent to the customer are moved by the central transport to the escrow area. From the escrow area these are presented to the client. The customer's account is then credited or debited for the documents that have been withdrawn.

The document canisters are removable from the machine by authorized personnel. When the boats are removed from the machine they can be loaded with cash and other documents. Boats may also suffer reclassifications or preventive maintenance when removed from the machine. Each boat has a programmable memory on it. The memory is programmed when the bot is outside the machine with information regarding the number and type of documents which are stored in each of their respective storage areas. The report also includes information on the individuals or entities responsible for the documents loaded in the storage areas. The information is preferably inserted into the memory inside the canister using an input device and an apparatus which operatively connects the input device and the canister.

The programmable internal memory in the can also receive information from the input device and relation to the reclassifications made to the can in the various storage areas thereof. The memory can also provide information as to when preventive maintenance was carried out on several items. Similarly, if the storage area is configured to handle document that has different properties than other documents, this information can be similarly loaded into memory.

When the boat is placed inside the machine, the memory in the boat is in operative connection with the control system of the machine. The machine preferably operates the response to receiving the canister to remove the documents in one of the storage areas and pass them through central transportation to the escrow area. Through this process and type and the denomination of each document stored in the storage area is determined. The control system then compares this information with the information stored in the memory inside the boat. If the information stored in the bot matches the information determined by the terminal, the documents are returned to the storage location (or a different place in the magic) that the control system operates to move to verify the stored documents in the next place. storage. This process continues until the contents of each recently inserted canister are verified.

If a discrepancy is noted between the internal jackpot memory and what determines the terminal that is located in the storage area, a discrepancy signal is given to the ATM machine. This discrepancy signal preferably transmitted to a remote location and informs system operator that a discrepancy has occurred. In a preferred embodiment, the information stored in the boat's memory is often sufficient to determine which individuals loaded and handled the boat that has discrepancy. This allows any discrepancies to be immediately reviewed.

The information stored in the memory of the bo is also used by the control system to adjust the operation of the terminal to conform to the state of the information provided. For example, if a particular storage area in a boat has been reclassified or otherwise changed in a manner that requires a different mode of operation, the control system modifies the operation of the machine accordingly when dealing with that storage area.

When operating the automated banking machine and control system communicates with the memory in the boat to update the information contained there. For example when the documents are added or when the information representative of this stored in the memory is removed from the storage places. When the boat undergoes the operation cycles, the data representative of the number of cycles that the various components have experienced is also recorded by the memory for the purposes of calculating when preventive maintenance is required. These features allow the automated banking machine to operate more reliably and minimize the risk of an undue operation or an effective loss or other documents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an automated bank recycling money machine of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the functions performed by the machine shown in Figure 1 Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the components of the central transport and the entrance / exit area of the machine.

Figure 4 is a view similar to that of Figure 1 schematically representing the entry of a document stack by a customer.

Figure 5 is a schematic view of the entry / exit area showing the reception of a document stack from a client.

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 which shows the document stack after it has been placed inside the machine.

Figure 7 is a schematic view similar to l of Figure 1 showing an inserted document stack q being moved from the input / output area of the machine to the document unstacking area of the machine.

Figure 8 is a schematic view showing the stack moving from the entry / exit area to the unstacked area d.

Figure 9 is a schematic view of the unstacked area of the machine before the arrival of the stack.

Figure 10 is a schematic view of an unstacking area showing a stack of documents that are being transported to the unstacking area.

Figure 11 is a view similar to that of Figure 10 showing the stack of documents moving position for unstacking.

Figure 12 is a view similar to that of Figure 11 with the documents in position for unstacking in the unstacking area.

Figure 13 is a view similar to that of Figure 1 showing the documents that pass from the unstacked area through the central transport to the reject and escrow areas of the machine.

Figure 14 is a view similar to that of Figure 12 showing a document being unstacked the unstacking area.

Figure 15 is a view similar to that of Figure 14 showing a document being removed from the stack and moving beyond the sensors to be doubled and pre-centered.

Figure 16 is a schematic view showing a double bill that is being returned in the stack.

Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view of a mechanism used for unstacking bills in the unstacked area.

Figure 18 is a schematic view of a shuttle med which is part of a pulling mechanism, the shuttle med being shown in a pass-through position Figure 19 is a view similar to that of Figure 18 showing the shuttle media in a ticket stopping position.

Figure 20 is a top plane view of a shuttle used to stretch and center the documents in central transport.

Figure 21 is a schematic view of misaligned bill.

Figure 22 is a schematic view similar to that of Figure 21 showing the bill being stretched by the operation of the shuttle.

Figure 23 is a view similar to that of Figure 22 showing the banknote aligned transversely to the direction of travel in the central transport but in a condition outside the center.

Figure 24 is a schematic view of the bill shown in Figure 23 that has been moved by the shuttle to a position centered on the central transport.

Figure 25 is a schematic view showing the shuttle moving a document transversely to the direction of travel in the central transport.

Figure 26 is a schematic view of the pre-centering and centering circuit used in connection with preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 27 is a schematic view of the entry / exit area of the machine when the documents are delivered from the central transport.

Figure 28 is a schematic view similar to l of Figure 1 showing the non-identifiable documents that are being delivered outside the machine to a customer.

Figure 29 is a schematic view of the entry / exit area showing the unidentifiable documents that are being moved outside the machine.

Figure 30 is a schematic view similar to Figure 29 showing the unidentifiable documents being directed to the machine for storage.

Figure 31 is a schematic view similar to that of Figure 1 showing the documents held in pli being directed to the central transport for storage of the machine.

Figure "32 is a schematic view of an entry / exit frame that moves documents held in the escrow.

Figure 33 is a schematic view showing a part of the drive mechanism for the drive belts in the entry / exit area.

Figure 34 is a schematic isometric view of the input / output area drive mechanism.

Figure 35 is a schematic view similar to that of Figure 1 showing the documents that have been previously held in the escrow area which are being unstacked and which are being passed through the central transport and to the machine for storage in the d storage areas of document storage boats.

Figure 36 is a schematic view of the carriage and band roll arrangement used to transport documents in the central transport of the machine.

Figure 37 is a side view of a gu used in relation to the carriage transport rollers.

Figure 38 is a cross-sectional side view of the carriage rollers, document strips and guides shown in a support relationship with a document.

Figure 39 is a side view of a door mechanism used to direct documents that move remote transport segments, with the mechanism shown in position allowing a document to pass directly through it.

Figure 40 is a side view of the door mechanism shown in Figure 39 in a condition that passes document from the remote transport segment to a can transport.

Figure 41 is a view similar to that of Figure 39 with the gate mechanism shown passing document from a boat transport to the remote transport segment.

Figure 42 is a view of the gate mechanism shown in Figure 39 in a condition that allows a document to pass from the boat transport to the remote transport segment, with the document moving in an opposite direction from that shown in the figure. Figure 41 Figure 43 is a view of the door mechanism shown in Figure 39 with a document passing from the remote transport segment to the can transport with the document moving in an opposite direction from that shown in Figure 40.

Figure 44 is a schematic view of array of belts and pulleys adjacent to the gate mechanism shown in Figure 39.

Figure 45 is a schematic view of a sheet transport exemplifying the principles used to move documents in the remote transport segments and in the boat transports.

Figure 46 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a document moving in transport of the type shown in Figure 45.

Figure 47 is a top plan view of a lid covering a storage area inside a money recycled canister.

Figure 48 is a cross-sectional side view of a storage area in a dine can shown with a leaf moving toward the storage area.

Figure 49 is a view similar to that of Figure 48 showing the partially accepted sheet in the storage area.

Figure 50 is a front plane view of the supply wheels, take-up wheels and knock wheels adjacent to the storage area, with the sheet shown moving inside the storage area as indicated in Figure 49.

Figure 51 is a view similar to that of Figure 49 with the sheet moved inside the storage area but placed on top of the stack of documents held there.

Figure 52 is a view similar to that of Figure 50 with the accepted sheet integrated in the stack.

Figure 53 is a view similar to that of Figure 52 with the recently accepted sheet held as a part of the stack by fingers placed next to the storage area.

Figure 54 is a schematic view similar to l of Figure 1 showing the flow of leaves from a storage area to a escrow area in response to an entry d of document sourcing by a user.

Figure 55 is a cross-sectional view of a storage area including a stack of sheets ah from which a sheet is to be removed as part of an assortment operation.

Figure 56 is a view similar to that of Figure 55 in which the fingers holding the stack of sheets in the storage area have been retracted to allow the sheets to engage the interior surface of the trunk door.

Figure 57 is a view similar to that of Figure 56 in which the door of the chest is raised with the supply wheels and the blow wheels shown beginning to move as to take a sheet from the stack.

Figure 58 is a view similar to that of Figure 57 showing the supply and goal wheels moving to a position in which a top sheet on the pil is being removed therefrom.

Figure 59 is a front view of the supply wheels, the sprocket wheels, the stripping wheels and the pick-up wheels in contact with a sheet as it is removed from the stack in the manner shown in Figure 58.

Figure 60 is a view similar to that of Figure 58 with the sheet shown having been removed from the storage area and being perceived by the doubles detector.

Figure 61 is a top plan view of the chest door that lies on a storage area showing a sheet that has been removed therefrom and that is moved to a door mechanism on one side of the remote transport.

Figure 62 is a schematic view similar to l of Figure 1 showing a stack of sheets that have been stocked from the storage locations that is being delivered to a user of the machine.

Figure 63 is a schematic view of the architecture of the control system of a preferred embodiment of the machine.

Figures 64-68 are a simplified flow diagram showing an exemplary transaction flow for a deposit transaction carried out in an automated bank money recycle machine of the present invention.

Figures 69 and 70 are a simplified flow chart showing the transaction flow of a withdrawal transaction carried out on the machine.

Figure 71 is a schematic view of a document bot that is moved to a position in the machine.

Figure 72 is a schematic view of a connector which electrically connects the document canister to the permanent electrical circuit of the banking machine.

Figure 73 is a schematic view of a bot of cash removed from the automated banking machine and of an operational connection with a device for programming information reading in the canister's memory.

Figure 74 is a schematic view of an "r" in which the automated banking machines of the present invention are operated.

BEST MODES TO CARRY OUT THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawings and in particular to Figure 1 there is shown an automated bank machine recycled money representing an embodiment of the present invention generally indicated with the number 10. machine includes a box or enclosure 12. Enclosure 12 includes or interconnection of client in an interconnection area generally indicated in number 14. Interconnection area 14 includes components used to communicate with a user of the machine. These components may include a display 16, which serves as part of an output device. The interconnection area may also include a keyboard 18 and / or a card reader 2 which serves as parts of the manually acceptable input devices through which a user can input information or instructions to the machine. It should be understood that these devices are exemplary and that other devices are exemplary and that other input and output devices, such as digital display devices, audio speakers, iris scanning devices, digital reading devices, etc. traces, infrared transmitters and receivers and other devices, which are capable of receiving or providing information can be used.

The machine also includes other devices which are schematically indicated. Such devices may include a receipt printer 22, which provides receipts to a client in relation to the activities related to their transactions. Other devices indicated schematically include a journal printer 24 for making a paper record of the transactions. A passbook printer 26 indicated schematically can also be included within the enclosure of the machine. A check imaging device 28 may also be included for the purposes of producing electronic images of the checks deposited on the machine as well as for the cancellation of such checks. Such a check imaging device may be of the type shown in United States Patent No. 5,422,467 or other similar mechanism.

Devices 22, 24, 26 and 28 are exemplary other devices may also be included in the machine such as video cameras for connection to a remote lug, a deposit acceptance mechanism on ticket printing devices, devices for printing statements and other devices. It should be further underd that while the embodiment described herein is in the form of an automated teller machine (ATM), the present invention can be used in connection with other types of automated banking machines.

The machine 10 includes a control system generally indicated with the number 30. The control system is in operative connection with the components of the machine controls the operation thereof in accordance with the programmed instructions. The control system 30 also provides communications with other computers in relation to transactions carried out on the machine. Such communications may be provided by any suitable means, such as telephone lines, a wireless radio link or through a connection through a proprietary transaction network.

The preferred embodiment of the invention has the ability to recycle money or other sheets or documents that represent a value received from a cuer. For the purpose of this description except where indicated, the words documents, sheets, bills and money, are used interchangeably to refer to the sheet materials processed by the invention. The recycling process involves receiving the documents in a cuer's volume, and identifying the type of documents deposited and ing the documents in appropriate places within the software. The ed documents can then be selectively recovered and provided to cuers who wish to withdraw funds from the machine.

The preferred embodiment of the invention includes devices which comprise the functional components schematically indicated in Figure 2. These functional components include an input / output function which receives the documents and delivers the documents to the machine users. An unstack function 34 receives the documents from the input / output function 32. The unstack function serves to separate the documents from the stack and deliver them to a sheet path in a spaced apart relationship.

The functional components of the machine further include a stretching or alignment function 36. As will be discussed later in detail, the stretching function operates to orient documents so that they are properly transversely aligned with a leaf path. An alignment function 38 also guides the documents movement by centering them in relation to the sheet trajectory. After the documents have been aligned they are passed to an identification function 40. The identification function operates to determine the type of documents passed through the sheet path. In the preferred embodiment, the identification function includes determining the type and denomination of the money bill or other document. The identification function also preferably determines the document appears suspicious or simply is not identifiable.

The identification function is linked to the input / output function so that the clients can have any suspicious documents or identifiable documents returned, rather than being deposited in the machine. Identification function is also linked to a document age and retrieval function 42, 44, 46 48. The age and retrieval functions operate to e the documents in selected locations, and to retrieve those documents for the purposes of supplying the documents to a client.

* Referring again to Figure 1, the apparatus which carries out the previously described functions is shown schematically. The input / output function was carried out in an input / output area generally indicated with number 50. The input / output area is on one side of an opening 52 in the machine case. The access through the opening 52 is controlled by a movable door 54 which is shown in the closed position in Figure 1.

The input / output area 50 includes a document handling mechanism with four band-type transports. These band-type transports are suitable devices for moving a stack of sheets and preferably each or u comprise a plurality of bands as shown in FIG. Patent of the States of America number 5,507,481. The first bands 56 and the second bands 58 join a delivery / rejection area 60 which extends vertically between the bands. As explained below, the webs 56 and 58 s move vertically in relation to each other and move transversely in a coordinated relationship to transport a stack of sheets placed therebetween.

The input / output area 50 also includes the third bands 62 and the fourth bands 64. The third bands 62 and the fourth bands 64 vertically join a pli area generally indicated with the number 66. The bands 62 and 64 s similar to bands 56 and 58 and are capable of moving a stack transversely between them. The bands in the entrance / exit area, as well as a gate 54, are driven or moved by the appropriate impellers schematically indicated with the number 68 which are operated in response to the control system 30. The entry / exit area can be operated in several ways, the examples of which will be discussed hereafter. Figure 3 shows the entry / exit area 50 in greater detail.

The entrance / exit area communicates with central transport generally indicated with number 70. central transport 70 includes an unstacking area generally indicated with number 72. The unstacking area includes tray 74 which is suitable for moving a stack of document about it. The unstacking area 72 further includes the conveyor belts 76 and the picking bands 78. As will be explained later in detail, the unstack area operates to separate documents and deliver them in a spaced relationship to a central transport document path.

The stretching operation also includes double sensors 80 for use in detecting double document cases which have been removed from a stack in the unstacked area d. These documents can be separated in a later discussed way. The pre-centering sensors are also provided in a partnership with the unstack operation whose sensors operate to ensure that the stretching and alignment operations are properly carried out.

From the unstacking area the sheets are transported to a combined centering and stretching device 84. The stretching and centering device 84 which performs the function of transversely moving the sheets so that they are centered in relation to the trajectory. of leaf through the central transport.

From the stretching and centering device the documents change direction by being overturned the carriage rollers 86 and moved beyond identification device 88. The identification device 88 is preferably of the type shown in United States patent application Ser. America No. 08 / 749,260 filed November 15, 1996 which property of the assignee of the present invention and whose description is incorporated herein by reference. In alternate incorporation, other types of identification devices can be used. The identification devices preferably identify the type and character of the ticket that passes. Identification device also preferably distinguish genuine documents such as genuine money bills from unidentifiable or suspicious documents.

From the identification device the documents are selectively addressed in response to the position of the diverting doors shown schematically with the number 90. The diverting doors operate under the control of the control system to direct the documents either to the delivery / rejection area 60, to the area of escrow 66 or to the storage areas and document recovery of the machine.

The document storage and retrieval areas include recycle bins 92, 84, 96 and 98, which are described in detail later. The recycled cans are preferably removed from the machine by authorized personnel. Each of the recycling bins includes four storage areas there. These are represented by the storage areas 100, 102, 104 and 106 on the bo 94. The storage areas provide places for storing documents that have passed satisfactorily through the central transport. The documents are preferably stored in storage areas with documents of the same type. The documents stored in the storage areas can then be removed or taken from them at a time and delivered to other customers.

The documents are moved to the boats through the remote transport segments generally indicated with the numbers 108, 110, 112 and 114. The remote transport segments are preferably arranged in an aligned relationship so that the documents can be passed between the segments Of transport. Each remote transport segment has a media gate mechanism associated therewith. The medium gates are usually indicated with the number 116 118, 120 and 122 operate in a manner to be explained below to selectively direct the documents from the remote transport segments to a connection with the adjacent boat delivery transports indicated with numbers 124, 126, 128 and 130. can operate in a manner that will be explained later to move the documents to and from the storage areas in the boats It should be appreciated that the various components which comprise the doors, the transports and the storage areas have associated motors and sensors, all of which are in an operative condition with the control system for the purposes of perceiving and controlling the movement of the devices. documents through them.

It should also be noted that in a preferred embodiment of the invention a dump area generally indicated by the number 132 is provided within the machine box at the bottom of the remote transport segments. Dump or dump area 132 functions as a receptacle for documents that are not determined to be suitable for handling which would otherwise be considered unsuitable for subsequent retrieval and assortment to a customer. In the preferred embodiment, the garbage area 132 comprises a tray which can be moved out of the machine box to facilitate cleaning and removal of documents when the interior of the machine has been accessed.

The operation of the automated bill recycling machine will now be explained through an example of operational steps and functions carried out in connection with a deposit transaction by a customer. It should be understood that this is only an example of a way in which the machine can be operated. Other methods of operation functions can be achieved based on the programming of the machine.

The transaction flow for the deposit transaction is shown in Figures 64-68. A client that approaches the machine 10 operates the components in the client interconnection area 14 to enable the operation of the machine. This may include, for example, the insertion of a credit or debit card and the entry of a personal identification number (PIN). Of course other steps may be required by the client to identify themselves to the machine. This may include other modes of operation such as biometric type or fingerprint identification devices. These steps by which the customer goes to identify themselves to the machine are represented in Figure 6 by the sequence of customer identification which is indicated by the number 134.

After the customers identify themselves to the machine, the machine is programmed to proceed through the main transaction sequence indicated generally with the number 136. This main transaction sequence preferably provides the customer with a menu of the various transaction options that are viable to be carried out on the machine 10 The transaction flow proceeds in Figure 64 of a step 138 in which a customer chooses to carry out a deposit transaction which involves the entry of documents, such as banknotes or money notes.

When the client indicates that he intends to make or deposit the machine he immediately executes a step 140. In the pas 140 an inner door indicated 142 in Figures 4 and 5 s moves to block additional access to the interior of the machine from the delivery area / rejection 60. After the inner door 142 is extended the program then executes a passage 144 in which the front door 54 of the machine moves to discover the opening 52. In this position a client is enabled to insert a stack of documents indicated with e number 146 in Figure 5 within the delivery / rejection area 6 between bands 56 and 58. As shown in Figure 5, bands 58 and 56 may also run inward to assist in placing the stack 146 against the inner door 142.

As shown in Figure 6, the delivery / receipt sensors 148 and 150 are placed inside the machine case on the side of the opening 52. The transaction flow, as shown in Figure 64, is executed on a step 152 to determine if the storage cell 146 has moved beyond the sensors. A determination is made in a step 154 to determine if the sensors are clear. If the sensors 1 and 150 are not clear, a step 154. is carried out. In step 154 efforts are made to clear the sensors. This is done by running the conveyor belts 56 and 58 adent of a passage 156 and to drive the customer in step 158 to its deposit. Then the verification is done again for v if the sensors have been cleared. Provisions are made in flow of transactions so that after a number of tests to clear the sensors the transport bands 56 58 are run in reverse to remove anything that has got into the machine, and the door 54 is closed.

If however the sensors 148 and 150 have been cleared indicating that a document stack has been properly inserted, the transaction flow is moved to a step 160 in which the front door 54 is again closed as shown in Figure 6. The flow The transaction is then moved to a pa 162 in which the inner door 142 is retracted so that the stack 146 can be reprocessed in a manner described hereinafter.

The stack is then moved as shown schematically in Figure 7 from the delivery / reject area 60 to the unstacked area 72. This is accomplished as shown in Figure 65 by moving a carriage which holds quat bands 64 upwards in the entry / exit area 50 as shown in Figure 8. The carriage for the bands 64 is moved upward to engage the carriage support bands 58 and to move them upwards as well. The carriage is moved up until the stack 146 is between the webs 56 and 5. This is represented by the step 164 in Figure 65. The webs 58 and 56 are then driven to move the battery into the unstack area 72. .

The unstacking area 72 is shown in greater detail in Figure 9. This includes the conveyor belts 7 and collection belts 78 which are independently operable by the motors and / or other drive devices. A strip return stop 166 is positioned in a movable manner in the area between the transport bands 66 and the bands 168 on the tray 74. It should be understood that the bands 76 78 and 168 are arranged to be in the middle relative to the tray. 76 is moved to one side thereof in a manner as described in U.S. Patent No. 5,507,481, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The unstacking area 72 includes an unstacked wall 170. An unstacking wall 170 includes a plurality of steps 172 thereon, the purpose of which will be explained later. The destacking wall 170 includes a plurality of grooves extending generally vertically (not shown). The tray 74 includes a plurality of tray projections 174 which extend from a top surface of the tray and extend into the slots. On one side of the pickup band 78 are the contact stripping wheels indicated by the numeral 176, the non-contact stripping wheels 178 whose function will be explained later.

In the operation of the machine the stack 146 e moved to the unstacking area for said unstacking. This is represented by a step 180 in Figure 65. As shown in Figure 10, in the step of moving the stack 146 to an unstacked area d, the tray 74 moves sufficiently toward the transport bands 66 for a movement mechanisms d so that the stack 146 can be moved thereon. The rear stop 166 is raised by a movement mechanism to allow the entry of the stack. The conveyor belts 76 the tray strips 168 move forward so that the stack 146 moves toward the unstack wall 170. In the preferred form of the invention the tray 74 is pressed co spring upwards once the stack 146 is moved between them, the stack is maintained between the bands 168 on the tray 74 and the conveyor belts 76 and the picking bands 78 by the pressing force acting on the tray.

As shown in Figure 11, once the stack 146 moves past the stop 166, the stop back and lowered by its movement of mechanism to be in position behind the stack. As discussed below, the back top is usually useful when unzipping double bills which can be picked up during the unstacking operation. As shown in Figure 11 the bands 78 are also run in the forward direction to move the pil 146 towards the wall 170. As shown in Figure 12 when the stack is completely moved against the wall 170, the passageways 172 on the wall surface tend to extend the sheets of the stack. This extension of the sheets tends to break the surface tension between the adjacent sheets and facilitates the separation of each sheet adjacent to each other. It should be noted that the steps 172 are configured so that the contact of the sheets in the stack 146 with the steps 162 generally does not interfere with the movement of the tray 74 upwards as the sheets of the stack are removed. This allows the tray 74 to apply a continuous upward pressing force so that the uppermost sheet in the stack contacts the collecting bands 78.

Referring again to the transaction flow in Figure 65, once the stack has moved to the unstacked position d, a check is made in step 182 to determine the presence of notes in the non-stacked area.

Assuming that the notes are properly in flow position then they are moved to an unstack routine on a pa 184. As will be explained later in detail, the control system 30 of the present invention is a novel type control system which facilitates the quick operation of the machine As it is represented in ghost by step 186 the control system operates to carry out the tasks concurrently as a result of this, rather than unstacking a single billet in the manner hereinafter described and then waiting for this is processed, the preferred embodiment of control system 30 unstacks a ticket and as soon as the billet has left the unstacking area, it proceeds to unstack another ticket. This allows to provide a separate stream of leaves which move concurrently in the central transport under the control of the control system. This greatly accelerates the operation of the machine.

The operation of the machine in the unstacked operation d is schematically represented in Figure 13. As shown there, the stack 146 in the unstacking area 72 is separated into a stream of single sheets which move through the central transport 70 in the direction of the arrows C. The notes are then selectively directed by reason which are subsequently explained by the steering mechanism which includes the diverting gates 90 to either the delivery / rejection area 60 or the land area 66.

The operation of the machine for unstacking the sheets in the unstacking area 72 is explained with reference to Figures 14-17. The stack 146 is pushed up against the collection strips 78 by the tray 74. The lower pallet of the strips 78, which is hooked with the upper sheet in the stack, moves to the left in Figure 1 to collect a sheet 188. As shown in Figure 17 the collecting bands 78 are supported on the roller and extend beyond of the faces in the outer circumference of the stripping wheels 178. The contact stripping wheels 176 are arranged in a relationship generally opposite the two strips of inner strip 78. As the strip strips move to the left as shown in FIG. Figure 14, the contact stripping wheels and the non-contact stripping wheels 176 and 178 do not move. This serves to engage a rear face of the upper sheet 1 which moves from the pile and serves to keep the sheets different from the upper sheet in the pile.

Referring again to Figure 14, if the leaf 188 which is moved from the stack is a single sheet, this condition is perceived by the double sensors 80. This means that the leaf is suitable for movement in the central transport. The blade then moves past the double sensors 80 in d the vicinity of the take-up rolls 190 and 192. In response to the sheet being perceived being like a single sheet, the take-up roll 192 is moved in response to the system control the position shown in phantom to the position shown in solid lines in which it is in contact with the sheet 188. The removal rollers 192 and 190 are driven in the directions indicated to move the sheet out of the battery. The drive of the take-up rollers is chronized by the control system 30 to ensure that the leaf 188 is properly spaced a distance from the unstacked leaf moving through the central transport.

As shown in Figure 15, the sheet 188 is moved by the take-up rollers 190 and 192 beyond the pre-centering sensors 82. The centering sensors are operated in a manner that will be described later to perceive the position of the pair transversely. opposite of the lateral edges of the leaf. The signals of the pre-centering sensors 82 are used by the control system 30 to move a shuttle which serves as a blade catching device and which is associated with the stretching and centering operations for the blade. The operational control system for moving the shuttle transversely in the transport path to a position in which it is enabled to catch the moving leaf in the manner that will allow the sheet to be aligned. This is particularly valuable when the leaves which are removed from the pile are of different sizes.

It should be understood that even when the United States of America has tickets which are the same size for all denominations, other countries use different size documents for various types of coins. It is a fundamental advantage of the present invention that the documents inserted by a user do not need to be arranged so that the documents are all of the same size, nor that the documents need to be oriented in a particular direction in order to be handled by the preferred embodiment of the invention. The unstacker device of the embodiment described is particularly well suited for unstacking the sheets and which may not necessarily be positioned as having a side edge in alignment with the wall 170 particularly for the sheets in the middle of the stack 146.

In the event that a double bill is received by the double sensors 80, the bills can be separated. A double bill is indicated in Figure 16 by the sheets 194 which for the purpose of this example, are considered to be two overlapping sheets. To separate these sheets the collection bands 78 are stopped and the tray 74 moves downward so that the stack 146 is no longer pushed against the lower pallets of the collection bands 78.

The collection bands 78 are then run backwards so that the lower pallet thereof moves to the right as shown. This pulls the leaves back to the pile. The contact stripping wheels 176 the non-contact stripping wheels also rotate to facilitate pulling the sheets back to the stack. This is achieved in the preferred embodiment by having the caster wheels operated by a one-way clutch. The caster wheels can rotate freely in the direction shown in Figure 16 but may not turn in the opposite direction. The movement of the bands 78 pulls the sheets 194 back to the pile. The back strip stop operates to prevent the leaves from moving too much and falling out of the pile.

Once the sheets 194 are returned to the top of the stack in the tray 74 it is again raised, the collection operation is attempted. Generally one or more repeated attempts to undress the leaves will be successful so that the leaves are continuously removed from the stack 14 one by one.

The transaction flow associated with the perception of doubles and the efforts to undress the upper sheet are represented in Figure 65. In a step 196 a determination is made as to whether a double (or a higher multiple document) has been perceived during the routine of destacking. If this is the case, the step associated with the descent of the stack 198 is executed. The picking bands are moved in reverse in a step 200 to pull the doubles back into the stack and the stack then raised in a step 202. As discussed previously the unstack routine is then started again. Then, if the doubles are not perceived when a sheet is collected, the sheet moves beyond the centering sensors 82 and the transverse position of the note in transport is perceived in step 204.

After a document passes through the pre-centering sensors, it moves to the combined stretching and alignment device 84. The stretching device is adapted to catch a moving sheet and align its leading edge generally transverse to the direction of travel of the sheet. leaf in the path of the leaf. A v that the front edge of the sheet has been aligned angularly the alignment device operates to move the sheet so that its centerline is generally in alignment with the transverse center line of the transport path. Doing this allows the document to be identified more quickly p reasons which are explained later.

As shown in Figure 20, the combined extruder and alignment device 84 includes a launcher indicated with the number 204. The shuttle is composed of a pair of shuttle halves 206 and 208. Each shuttle half is connected to a drive shaft 210. which operates to move the pinch wheels 212 and 214 on the shuttle halves in the manner described hereinbefore. The shuttle 204 can also be moved transversely in a support connection with the drive shaft 210. The shuttle also includes a first sensor 21 on one side of the shuttle half 206 and a second sensor 218 on the side of the shuttle media 208. The shuttle also it includes a mean 220 sensor. The pinch rollers engage a segmented loose 222.

Referring to Figure 18, the average thrower 206 is shown schematically there. The half-thrower includes a solenoid 224. The solenoid 224 is connected to a movable brake rod 226 which can be moved over the bolts 228. The pinch wheel 212 serves as a movable member rotates about a central pin 230. The central pin 23 is movably mounted in a slot 232 on the body of the shuttle media 206.

The drive shaft 210 is a grooved-type shaft as shown. The shaft 210 extends through a driving wheel 234 which is mounted to rotate about the body of the shuttle means 206.

As shown in Figure 18 when the solenoid 224 is not energized the pinch wheel 212 is pressed to make contact with the driving wheel 234 by means of a schematically indicated resort 236. The pinch wheel 212 rotates in response to the rotation of the drive shaft 210. The rotation of the pinch wheel 212 also engages the independently rotatable segments of the segmented shaft 222. The documents are enabled to pass through the pressure point between the pinch wheels 212 and the segmented shaft 22 in response to the rotation of the pinch roller 212 by the driving wheel 234.

As shown in Figure 19, when the solenoid 224 is energized the brake rod 226 moves. E movement of the brake rod causes the brake rod to engage the pinch wheel 212. By engaging the brake rod the pinch wheel, said pinch wheel is displaced from the driving wheel 23 and its movement is prevented until the The solenoid is again de-energized and the brake rod retracted. As a result of this, the area of the document which is placed at the point of pressure between the pinch roller 212 and the segmented shaft 222 when the solenoid is energized, will stop at this position. Documents will be prevented from moving to the area of the pressure point until the solenoid is de-energized.

The operation of the shuttle is indicated schematically in Figures 21-24. As shown in the Figure 21 a sheet or document 238 is shown moving in the direction of the arrow in the sheet path. The launcher moves prior to the arrival of the blade in a transverse direction on the drive shaft 210 so that the pinch rollers 212 and 214 will both engage the blade. This is done by the control system 30 based on the signals of the pre-centering sensors 82 which are upwardly of the launcher 204. The shuttle moves transversely in the path of the blade by the device moving transverse the cua a fast action motor or other suitable device.

In response to the blade 238 moving into the area adjacent the pinching rollers, the sensors 216 218 and 220 perceive the sheet. Because the sample sheet 23 is biased, the sensor adjacent the pinch roller 214 and which is the sensor 218 will sense the leading edge of the first sheet. When this occurs, the solenoid associated with the shuttle means 208 is energized, stopping the movement of the pinch pin 214, while the roller 212 continues to rotate in response to the rotation of the shaft 210. As a result of this, the sheet 238 begins to rotate about the area of the pinch point 240 created between the stationary roller 214 and the segmented ej 222. The blade 238 moves so that the front edge 242 of the blade begins to move angularly to a condition aligned in the transverse direction the direction of movement of the sheet.

As shown in Figure 23, the blade 238 rotates around the pinch point 240 until the leading edge is transversely aligned with the blade path When an aligned condition is reached, the solenoid 224 is preferably energized to stop the movement of the blade. pinch rod 212. This produces a second pinch point 24 between the banknote 238 and the loose axis 222.

In the stopped condition of the bill shown in Figure 23, the leading edge 242 of the sheet extends in the path beyond the centering sensors generally indicated by the numeral 246. The centering sensors operate to sense the lateral edges of the bank. sheet indicated with numbers 248 and 250 in Figure 23, in a manner hereinafter described. On perceiving the lateral edges the control system 30 determines the position of the central line of the sheet 238. This central line is indicated schematically in Figure 23 with the number 252. The shuttle then moves the sheet transversely in the manner indicated in FIG. Figure 25. The blade is moved in a contact relationship between the pinch rollers 212 and 214 and the segmented loose shaft 222. As shown in Figure 24, the blade 238 is moved to the right so that the centerline of the sheet 252 is in alignment with a central line of the sheet transport path 254.

Once the sheet has been stretched in this way and moved to a relationship centered in the transport path, the solenoids operating the pinch rollers 212 and 214 are released simultaneously to discharge the leaf 238 of the shuttle. This is done in a manner which ensures that the sheet 238 is adequately spaced out by at least a selected minimum amount of a preceding sheet. Optimally, the blade does not retract in any way from what is absolutely necessary to ensure that the blade is properly oriented.

The schematic view of the centering circuit components which is used in relation to the centering sensors 246 and the pre-centering sensors 82 is indicated schematically in Figure 26. In the preferred embodiment of the invention the sensors 246 include the coupled devices. and loaded (CCDs) which are used to perceive the edges of the sheet. An emission on an opposite sheet side is provided. The emitter to perceive the edges of the sheet. In other embodiments, other types of sensors may be used. The signals from the sensors 246 are transmitted to a modifier 256. The signals from the amplifier are sent to a digitized comparator 258. The digitized comparator is provided with a threshold input from an interconnection 260.

A trip point from interconnection 260 is determined by a computer program routine that adjusts the threshold input for the presence of a bill based on the radiation perceived by the sensors when a ticket is not present. This allows adjustment of the sensors with respect to changes during the operation of the device, sas changes in the intensity of the emitters or the accumulation of dirt on the emitters or on the sensors.

The output of the digitized comparator is transmitted to a programmable logic device 262. The programmable logic device determines the position of the edge of the note transmits the output signals together with the timing signals to a processor 264. The processor generates signals according to its programming to move the transverse movement device which moves the launcher transversely to the desired position. In the case of the pre-centering sensors, the shuttle moves to a position to ensure that it finds the note preferably so that the bill is generally centered between the pinch wheels. In the case of centering and stretching sensors, the shuttle is moved to ensure that the note moves to align with the center of the transport. The timing signals also follow when the front and back edges of the bill find the sensors to allow the control system to maintain adequate separation of the bills within the central part. The signals of the sensors 246 as well as those of the sensors 216, 218 and 220 on the shuttle are used to ensure that a note which has been released from the shuttle moves outward in the proper and coordinated manner.

The logical flow associated with the stretching and alignment operations of the described embodiment is shown with reference to the steps indicated in Figure 65. As indicated by step 266, signals from the pre-center sensors 82 are used by the system. control to move the shuttle to make sure it hooks the bill. A stretching leg 268 operates in the manner already described to align a leading edge of the bill so that it extends transversely to the direction of movement of the sheet in transport. In a step 279 the centerline of the sheet moved in alignment with the center line of the sheet transport. The sheet having been stretched and aligned, this is released in the passage 272 in a chronized manner and continues on its path in the path of the sheet.

As shown in Figure 13, after a document leaves the alignment and stretching device said document moves through the transport area centers where it is sensed by several sensors associated with the identification device 88. In one form Preferred invention The identification device includes the device described in the United States patent application number series 08 / 749,260 filed November 15, 1996 which is incorporated. This identification device is suitable to identify the type and denomination of document that passes. It is also suitable to distinguish genuine documents from suspicious documents. A benefit of the device used in the described embodiment is the ability to identify a document despite the document failure to be aligned with the path of the sheet. It should be understood that due to the various conditions, despite the efforts made to orient the sheet, the sheets may be somewhat out of alignment at the time of analysis by identification device. Of course in other incorporations, other devices can be used.

The ticket analysis by the identification device 88 produces signals. These signals can be indicative of the type of ticket and the denomination Alternatively, the signals can be indicative that the note can not be identified satisfactorily or that they are invalid. These signals are transmitted to the control system 30 which operates the diversion gates 90 to a central transport side. As shown in Figure 27, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the documents which can not be identified with a high degree of confidence are directed by the doors 90 to the delivery / rejection area 60 are subjected to the second bands 58. Such rejected notes are represented in Figure 27 by a stack 274.

The documents identified as suitable for the deposit are directed by the diversion gate 90 to the cover area 66 where such bills are held on the web 64. Such identified documents are shown in Figure 27 by the stack 276. It should be understood that the Direction of the sheets identified to the position of escrow 266 is optional depending on the programming of the control systems 30 d the machine or the customer inputs to the interconnection of the machine. Identifiable bills can be directed directly to the storage areas appropriate for recovery.

The transaction flow associated with the analysis of the documents and the address to the rejection / delivery and escrow areas of the document handling mechanism is represented in Figure 66. The analysis of the documents and movement is represented by a step 278 If the bill and properly identified in step 280, a check is made in the next step 282 to determine if the machine is in a deposit mode. If this is the case, the properly identified bills are directed to the storage areas in the recycling bins. If the machine is not currently in a storage mode, which is the case with the described example, the suitably identified bills are directed to the escrow position in a step 284.

If in a step 280 a bill is not identifiable or is identified as unacceptable the bill is directed to the rejection position in a step 286. Of course it should be understood that the steps of unstacking, pre-centering stretch, alignment and identifying bills everything is being carried out concurrently as each document passes in the document stream through the central transport. The notes are continuously being directed to the escrow or reject positions until the stack of banknotes has been completely unstacked.

In the operation of the invention of the preferred embodiments, the sheets which are not acceptable to the machine, such as the unidentifiable sheets, and the sheets which appear suspicious are returned to the customer from the entrance / exit area 50. This is represented schematically in Figure 28 which shows the rejected pil 274 that is being delivered to the customer through the opening 52. This is normally done by the machine after displaying to the customers through the interconnection 14, l information about a number of documents which were not identifiable or not acceptable in the deposit pile that had been submitted. The client will be notified through interconnection of the value of the documents that have been properly identified. In alternate customer additions they can give you the option to enter a return address to an input device of the client interconnect, which causes the machine to rework the rejected pages to determine if they can be identified. If this occurs, the machine can be programmed to run the reject pil 274 back through the central transport in the manner previously done with the deposited stack. This is a matter of choice in the programming of the machine and depends on the preferences of the operator of the machine.

Assuming that the reject stack 274 is to be returned to the customer, the reject stack is delivered to the client in a manner indicated in Figure 29. The inner door 14 is extended while the carriage support strips 6 are raised in a manner that the stack 276 engages with the carriage support strips 62 and 58. The bands 58 are so raised that the reject stack engages the strips 56. When the reject stack 274 is sandwiched between the webs 56 and 58, the strips 58 open the door 54. The reject stack 274 e moved by the strips 56 and 58 out through the opening 5 in the machine case. The delivery and receiving sensors 148 and 150 on one side of the opening 52 operate to sense movement of the stack.

The transaction flow associated with the delivery of the reject stack to the customers is represented in FIG. 66. In step 288 a determination is made as to whether the bills are present in a reject stack after all the sheets have been unstacked. and have been passed through central transport. If this is the case, the reject stack is moved to the delivery position in step 290. The inner door is closed in a step 292 as shown in Figure 29. The front door is then opened in step 294 and the band are driven to deliver the reject stack to the customer in step 296.

As shown in Figure 67, the client can then be urged to take the reject stack in a step 298. This is done through the output devices over the client interconnect. The sensors 148 and 150 are then monitored in a step 300 and a decision is made in step 302 d if the reject sheets have been taken. If the sheets have been taken the front door 54 of the machine is closed at a pass 304 and the inner door is retracted in a step 306.

As previously discussed, in the described incorporation of the invention the client is required to take the rejected sheets. Therefore, if in a step 302 the customer does not take the sheets, the transport is operated to push the sheets out of the opening 52 in a step 308. After the conveyance has run sufficiently to push the leaves out the front door It is closed.

In alternate additions of the invention, the customer may have the option of having the rejected stack retry to determine whether the documents can be identified. This is done in response to customer entries through an interconnection input device. In other alternate additions the machine can be programmed so as not to return the rejected or unidentified pages to the clients. This can be done for purposes such as to prevent counterfeit bills from being placed back in circulation. If the machine is programmed in this manner, the reject stack 274 can be moved in the manner shown in Figure 30 back to the unstacked machine frame for an additional pass through central transport. In this second pass the leaves can either be returned back to the rejection area if they can not be identified; can be placed in the escrow area these can be identified; or alternatively, recycling bins 132 can be moved to a storage location in the trash area for further analysis. Because the preferred embodiment of the present invention is able to follow individual sheets which pass through the machine, it is possible for the machine to continue to determine at which particular sheets were originally based on its storage location and position within a storage location. .

Returning to the operation of the embodiment described, the stack 276 maintained in the escrow position is now moved upward and the entry / exit area as indicated in Figure 31. At this point, the customer may have the option to receive the sheets. identifiable that have been deposited again This can be done for example if the customers are not in agreement with the account of the sheets of the machine. This can be achieved by programming the machine so that the customer can obtain the return of the documents in escrow or an appropriate input to an input device of the interconnection.

If, the machine is programmed to deposit the identified documents held in escrow, the machine moves the document stack 276 in the manner shown in Figure 31 Alternatively, the escrow stack will be moved in a manner shown in Figure 31 if the machine it requires that the client's input deposit the escrow documents and that such input is given through the client interconnection.

When the stack stack 276 is to be stored in storage places in the machine, the web 64 is raised to the position shown in Figure 32 and the stack stack 276 placed in sandwich form between the webs 62 and 64. L bands they are then driven to move the stack stack 276 unstacked area of the machine in the manner previously described.

The operation of the driving rollers and the movable belt carriages of the entrance / exit area 50 are described in greater detail in Figures 33 and 34. The carriage associated with the bands 64 is moved up and towards aba by a drive or elevator. The carriage that supports the bands 62 and 58 is free float but is restricted to a degree to which it can move downward. The carriage q supports the bands 56 can be rotatably shaped to position an adjacent stack but is generally prevented from moving downward. This configuration minimizes the complexity of the input / output device.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the carriage support strips 64, 62 and 68 are guided to move vertically by a first guide / pusher shaft 310 and second guide / pusher shaft 312. The guide shafts / impellers only extend generally vertically, but also are slotted axes that can be rotated by suitable drive and drive mechanisms in the directions shown. The mobile journal guide blocks 3 and 316 can be moved vertically on the axis 310. Each journal guide block represented by the guide block 314 in Figure 33 includes the oscillating gears 318. The oscillating gears operate to transmit the rotational movement of the journal. the guide shaft / impeller 310 to the axes 320 and 322. The axes 3 and 322 include the rollers on which the belts 56 and are supported respectively.

The guide blocks 324 and 326 can be moved on the shaft 312. As indicated in Figure 33 by the guide block 324, the journal guide block includes the oscillating gears 328 which operate to transmit the rotational movement of the guide shaft / impeller 312 to the axes 330 and 332 The belts 62 and 64 are supported on the rollers which are driven by the axes 330 and 332 respectively.

As it should be appreciated, this arrangement for driving the bands in the entry / exit area reduces the complexity and comparison to other arrangements. This arrangement also increases the flexibility to selectively place stacks of documents.

Returning to the sample transaction flow with the stack stack 276 in the position shown in FIG. 31, the transaction flow continues in the manner indicated in FIG. 67. As indicated in step 334, the escrow stack is movable. upward so that it is generally aligned with opening in the box and in a position to either be delivered to the customer or to be moved back to the unstack position. The customers operating the machine are then urged to step 336 to indicate if they they want the stack back or the quantity deposited in the stack of pl in the machine. As indicated by step 338, if the client chooses to have the stack returned rather than deposited, the machine proceeds to return the stack to the customer.

The process of returning the stack is indicated through the transaction flow represented in Figure 68. this point in the transaction flow the stack stack 266 is on one side of the opening 52, and can be easily delivered client. The inner gate is closed in the passage 340 and the front door is open in the step 342. The bands 62 are then urged to move the stack of stem towards it to present it to the customer in step 344. A determination is made in step 346 if the customer has taken the plic This is based on signals from the sensors 148 and 158. If the escrow is perceived as taken, the machine returns to the main ATM machine transaction sequence in step 348.

If the client does not take the stack, pas is run to encourage the customer to take the stack, or to retract it to the machine. If the stack is not perceived as taken in step 346, the customer is encouraged through the interconnection of the machine at step 358 to take the stack. If the stack is now perceived as having been taken, a step 352 returns the machine to the main sequence. In the event that however the stack a has not been taken, the transaction flow continues through steps 354 and 356 in which the stack is retrieved stored, and an irregular transaction is noted. This can occur for example by retracting the pile inside machine closing the door and then passing the stack through the central transport to one of the storage areas.

The alternate forms of the invention may be provided to credit the customer's account by quantity. which they have indicated that they want them to return but take them. If the machine is programmed to operate in this way, the documents in the escrow pile will be stored according to their type and denomination in the various storage areas in the recycling cans. Alternatively, l documents in the escrow stack can be stored separately in one of the storage areas. The machine can be programmed to allow the client to return at a later time and obtain the documents in the plic pile. This can be valuable for example if the client forgets the tom escrow or if distracted while holding transaction.

In most cases when a customer deposits documents in the machine, these customers will choose to have the funds credited to their account. As a result this, in the transaction flow in step 338 the clients will indicate through the customer interconnection that they wish to make a deposit. The transaction flow is moved through a step 358 in which the machine is put in the deposit mode. Then the stack stack 276 is moved to the unstacked area in step 360. This is done in the manner previously described for the deposited stack.

As shown schematically in Figure 3, the stack stack will now be unstacked in the manner previously discussed. However, now instead of the unstacked bills being directed by the deviation gate 90 to the escrow area and to the delivery / rejection area, the bills are selectively directed to the other area in the machine as shown, to the various payment areas. Storage in recycled cans. During this operation each of the unstacked billets is again classified and identified by the bill identification unit 88. The identification of the banknotes type is used to selectively direct each storage area document where the stored documents of that type are stored. It should be understood that the internal memory of the machine is preferably programmed to record the document type held in the escrow stack and to compare the determination of the type of document made in the initial pass with the type determination made in the second pass In case of an error or an inconsistency, the deviation gate 9 can be used to direct any irregular documents to the delivery / rejection area 60 instead of moving them down to a place in the storage in the machine.

As can be seen with the transaction flow beginning at step 358 in Figure 67, the stack of plic 10 undergoes the unstacked process previously described in relation to steps 184, 196 and 204. Each note is also stretched centered relative to the transport path and. then it releases.

The ticket goes through the analysis discussed in connection with step 278 and if the ticket is not properly identified in step 280, the transaction flow moves to step 262 when the machine is in deposit mode. In step 262 each ticket is dispatched to a appropriate storage place. The notes are moved through this central part in the direction of the arrows "D shown in Figure 35. Each note is then directed to an appropriate storage place in a step 264. It should be noted that the notes are moving concurrently. to different storage locations under the control of control system. Figure 35 shows an example of a bill that is being deposited in a storage area 102. It should be understood, however, that bills can be moved in numerous storage areas during the deposit process.

The bills in stack 276 continue to be unstacked until the stack determines that a step 266 has been exhausted. Assuming no notes have been rejected during the deposit process, the transaction flow can then be returned to the transaction sequence AT main in a step 268. The customer can be provided with a receipt for their deposit and can continue with other transactions In the operation of the central transport 70 there are places in which the bills in movement must suffer generally 180 degrees turns. An example of this is indicated by the transport section 370 which is shown in Figure 35. In the transport section 370 the documents that must be aligned in the transport path have had their address inverted so that they can pass a side of the identification device 88. The transport section 370 requires that the bills be transported in an exact manner and keep their relationship aligned and spaced. The documents are also preferably unwrinkled or otherwise distorted, as this may adversely impact the ability to be identified in the next section. More details in relation to the transport section 370 are shown in Figures 36-38.

The transport section 370 includes a plurality of webs 372. These webs in the preferred embodiment are V-type webs that engage the impeller and slack rollers 374, 376 and 378. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the "V" the web 372 is pointed radially inwardly as the web passes the rollers 374, 376 and 378.

As the belts 372 move between the rollers 37 and 376 they are supported on the carriage rollers 380. The carriage rollers 380 hold the belt in a manner so that the "V" section is pointed outwardly from the carriage rollers. An upper planar surface of each band is positioned on one side of an annular dimple 382 on the outer circumference of each carriage. The carriage rollers 380 are also spaced from one another. The guides 38 which generally have a somewhat smaller diameter than the carriage rollers are placed between them. An example of a guide 364 is shown in greater detail in Figure 37.

When a ticket 386 passes through the transport section 370 these are retained from the flat surfaces of the band 372 and the dimples 382 of the carriage rollers com are shown in Figure 38. The tickets move around the carriage rollers without being biased or distorted When the bills are passed to the area adjacent the roller 3 the projections 388 on the guides push the bill out of contact with the carriage rollers and in the desired direction.

This configuration is used in a preferred embodiment of the invention since it has been found that tickets can be generally transported through transport section 370 without adversely impacting their aligned and separate relationship. The ability to flip the banknote trajectory 180 degrees also greatly reduces the overall size of the automated banking machine.

As shown in Figure 35 the tickets which are passed through the central transport 70, and which are moved to the storage areas inside the machine, pass down through the central transport through the remote transport segments 108, 110, 112 and 11 These remote transport segments operate as part of remote transport. The remote transport segments are aligned vertically in the preferred embodiments co to allow the documents to be selectively transported between the transport segments. The transport segments also allow the documents to be selectively directed either through the transport segments inwardly or outwardly of the adjacent transporters, one of which is placed on one side of the transport segment. The selective direction of the documents is achieved through the use of a middle gate associated with the transport segment which is operated under the control of the control system.

An example of a transport segment used in a preferred embodiment of the invention is indicated by the transport segment 110 shown in Figure 39. The transport segment 110 includes a plurality of spaced web support rollers 390 and 392. The rolls they are driven by an impeller in operative connection with the control system. Each of the rollers supports a band 394 on the same. (see Figure 44). An inner vane 396 of each band 39 generally extends in a first plane and is positioned beside a first sheet support surface 398 and a second sheet support surface 400. The sheet support surfaces each include a plurality of raised and spaced projections or dimples on them. This elevated projections serve to break the surface tension and minimize the risk of documents sticking there.

The operating principles of the transport segment 110 as well as the can transport used in the preferred embodiment can be seen with reference to Figures 45 and 46. The transports operate to hold the documents in a hooked relationship between an outer surface of a pallet of band and elongate projections 1 which extend toward the band vane from an adjacent opposing support surface. In the example shown in Figure 45, the band vanes 402 extend to one side of the opposite support surface 404. The projections 406 extend transversely between the band vanes from the support surface. A document 408 which is engaged between the band vanes and the support surface deformed by the projections 406 to remain engaged with the band vanes. This allows the movement of the web pallets to move exactly the document 408 in a relationship therewith.

Returning to Figure 39, the projections 410 s extend from the first sheet support surface 398. The projections 410 are generally segmented projections include the tapered front and tail edges to minimize the risk of documents being caught therein. Loose rolls 412 and 416 are also screwed onto and a support connection with the member including a sheet support surface 398. Loose rolls 412 and 416 are generally placed in an aligned relationship with the inner pallets 396 and perform a function which is explained later.

Each remote transport segment has boat transport adjacent to it. In the case of a transport segment 110, the can transport 126 extends adjacent to it as shown in Figure 1. The can transport 126 includes the pairs of spaced-apart support rollers 418, only one of which it is shown in Fig. 39. The rollers 418 are driven by an impeller in operative connection with the control system. The rollers 418 support the webs 420 which include the lower pallets 422 The lower pallets 422 extend generally on a plate and further extend to one side of a support surface 42 which includes the dimpled projections on the same type. previously discussed. The projections 426s extend from the support surface 424 between the bands are generally parallel thereto. This structure allows the documents to be transported in a hooked relationship between the projections 426 and the band vanes 422 previously described.

As shown in Figure 44, the rollers 41 of the can carriers and the rollers 390 of the remote transport segments are arranged in a transversely intermediate relationship, similar to the manner in which the "80" projections on the surface of support are placed transversely in the middle of the band vanes. This ensures that the documents can be passed between the transport segments in a controlled relationship in the manner described herein. Each of the remote transport segments includes a fourth average which is selectively operable to direct the documents in the desired directions. In the case of the transport segment 110 the middle door associated with the is the door 118. The door 118 includes a plurality of movable arms 428. The arms are engaged for movers together and are selectively movable about an axis of the rollers 390. Each arm 428 has a roller 430 movably mounted on it. the same. Each roller 430 which serves as a diverter member is positioned in alignment with a corresponding inner band pallet 396.

The operation of the remote segment and the middle gate will now be explained with reference to Figures 39-43 As shown in Figure 39, when the diverter roller 43 of the door 118 is positioned from the web pallets 396, document 432 is enabled to pass along a first direction directly through the remote transport segment. Even though document 432 is shown as seeing upwards in Figure 39, it should be understood that the documents can be moved downwards as well. In similar form they can be moved down and then passed upwards in the remote transport segment.

Figure 40 shows a document 434 that moved in a downward direction while the deviated roller 430 of the door 118 is extended. In this condition document 434 is directed towards the pressure point created by the band vanes 422 and the projections 426 of the boat transport 126. As a result, the movement of the d-paddles 420 in the direction shown when the transfers the document inside a boat transport path along which it is carried by the boat transport. As can be seen from Figure 40, when the gate 118 is driven and moved to the position to direct the documents to and from the can transport the web pallet 39 is deformed. Loose roll 416 holds the band vane in the deformed position to avoid excessive wear as a result of friction.

Figure 41 shows the document 436 being moved from the can transport to the remote transport segment 110. In the position shown the med gate 118 operates to direct the document 436 towards the remote transport segment 108 placed above the transport section. remote transport 110 (see Figure 35) and towards the central transport.

Figure 82 shows gate 118 in a condition that directs a document 438 from bot transport 126 downward in remote transport segment 110. As will be appreciated from the discussion above, the preferred embodiment of the invention allows the movement of documents from one storage area to another. This function is enabled by the machine control system that moves the documents from the storage areas in boats where they have been stored to the storage areas in boats or arrives or below the storage canister on the machine.

Figure 43 shows a document 440 that is moved up in the remote transport segment 110 and that is being directed by the door 118 inside the transport of bot 126. The ability to move documents in the manner shown in Figures 39-43 in response to the control system greatly facilitates the ability of the preferred embodiment of the present invention to store and retrieve documents. As will be appreciated from the preceding Figures , the mechanisms The door can also be used to selectively orient the documents. This may be desirable, particularly when you want to provide customers with documents oriented evenly in a stack. This can be achieved by reorienting the documents prior to storage based on on the orientation of each document as determined by the identification device 88. However, as discussed previously the incorporation of the present invention shown requires that the documents be oriented in no particular manner for a satisfactory operation.

- The storage of the documents in a storage location will now be described with reference to Figures 47-53. For the purposes of this illustration, storage of a document in the storage area 102 as shown in Figure 35 will be discussed. However, it should be understood that the following description is generally applicable to the storage of documents in any of the storage areas available in the preferred embodiment machine.

Referring to Figure 47, the storage area 102 is shown from the top. The band vanes 422 of the can transport 26 extend above a coffer door 442. The coffer door 442 is mounted movably above the storage area 102. The coffer door 442 includes a support surface 444 which it supports tickets or other documents that move on it and from adjacent storage areas. The support surface 444 included projections with holes which serve to reduce the surface tension and the adherence of the documents that move on it.

The hood door 442 includes projecting engage documents that pass and hold the documents in engagement with the bands 422. A pair of apertures or perforations 448 are in a relationship generally aligned with the projections 446. The openings 448 provide access for the knock wheels which will be discussed later As can be seen in Figure 47 the projections 446 are tapered to one side of the openings 448 to minimize the risk of the documents sticking thereon. The coffer door 442 also includes a plurality of loose rollers 450 The rollers 450 are placed in an aligned relationship with the strips 422. The rollers 450 engage the strips and facilitate the movement of the strips when the coffer door 442 is open to accept a document in a manner that is described later.

The hood door 442 also includes a central opening 452. The opening 452 is sized to accept a pair of closely spaced striker wheels there. The center hitting wheels 454 are similar in construction to the outer hitting wheels 456 which extend through the openings 448. The center opening 452 is also sized to accept the supply wheels 458 and 460 which are placed on one side of the wheel. front of the trunk door 442 covering the storage area 102. The supply wheels 458 and 460 are connected to the hitting wheels 454 by a supply band 462.

It should be understood that the kicker wheels 454 456 as well as the supply wheels 458 and 460 are supported on a surface positioned on one side of and vertically upward from the hood door 442. The supply wheels and the hitting wheels are preferably supported on the machine box, while the storage area 102 and the box door 442 are supported on the recycling can 94. The recycling can can be removed from the machine when the supply wheels and the hitting wheels are positioned that these do not extend through the boat 452.

The lock door 442 also includes a sensor 464 which serves as a sheet thickness detector. The sensor 464 in the form of the invention is an optical receiver type sensor that receives signals from an opto-transmitting device which is placed in the machine on one side of and above the sensor 45 when the can 94 is in an operative position. The sensor 46 is in connection with the control circuit of the machine.

The steps involved in storing a ticket in a storage area 102 will now be described with reference to Figures 48-53. The storage area 102 retains a stack 466 of documents. The stack 466 is preferably a plurality of documents oriented horizontally. which are supported on a thrust plate 468. The thrust plate 468 is pressed up towards the chest door by a spring or other similar mechanism. The stack is held at its upper end by a plurality of transversely spaced front fingers 470 and finger. 472. The front fingers and the hind fingers are movable by a mechanism in the manner to be discussed hereafter.

The hood door 442 includes an interior surface 474 which includes a plurality of projections extending downwardly with the recesses therebetween. In the position of fingers 470 and 472, the side projections 476 and 468 on one side of the upper ends of the fingers 470 and 472 respectively, extend above the pil and move in the recesses of the inner surface of the coffer port. These inwardly extending projections 47 and 478 of fingers 470 and 472 hold the top of the stack in a ratio captured at the positions shown in Figure 48.

In Figure 48 a document 480 is shown to move it towards the storage area 402. In this position before the arrival of the document, the supply wheels and the hitting wheels are placed above the support surface 444 of the coffer door . The withdrawal wheels 482 which are mounted movably on the edge 94, which includes the storage area 102, are moved to a position positioned outside the supply wheels 458 and 460.

With the arrival of the document 480 to the storage area 102 the coffer door 442 is raised upwards and a front area adjacent to the front surface thereof. The removal rollers 482 move upwards while the supply wheels 458 and 460 engage. and move the document into the storage area 102. The fingers 470 and 47 also hold and move the upper surface of the pil downwardly against the pressing door which is applied upwardly by the push plate 468. This allows the 480 document moving inside the storage area above the inward projections of the fingers.

Figure 50 shows the configuration of the supply wheels and withdrawal wheels as the document 480 is moved within the storage area. In this condition the rotating supply wheels 458 and 460 engage * the document 480 as do the withdrawal wheels 482, so that the document can be driven to the storage area. As shown in Figure 50, a stripping rod 484 whose operation is discussed below in detail, remains positioned out of the supply band. 462 when entering document 480 in the storage area.

As shown in Figure 51, document 48 enters storage area 102 above stack 466. Fingers 470 and 472 are then moved outward as shown in Figure 51.

As shown in Figure 52, eventually the fingers 470 and 472 are moved outward by a sufficient distance to release the stack 466 so that it moves upward in response to the pressing force on the push plate 468. As a As a result of this, the document 480 was integrated into the stack when the coffer door 442 was moved down to its original position. When the chest door is moved downwards the inwardly extending projections on the fingers 472 'and 470 are in an aligned relationship with the recesses on the inner surface of the chest door.

From the positions shown in Figure 52 fingers 470 and 472 are moved inward by the finger movement mechanism to again capture the top surface of the stack which now includes document 480. The withdrawal wheels 482 are again they retract down and the storage area 102 is again ready to receive additional documents for storage there.

As will be appreciated from the above discussion, mechanisms such as those shown and discussed are used to move the cassette door fingers and wheels of the invention. These mechanisms may include linear rotational motors and other mechanisms, transmissions and articulations suitable for use in the movement of the components in the manner described. Such conventional components are not shown here to promote clarity and facilitate and understand the operation of the invention.

It should be understood that when one or more documents are directed to a storage place in the machine, the storage place where the particular document or document is to be stored undergoes the series of steps described. Even though the series of operations for the storage place has been described as receiving the documents after integrating them into the stack in the place of storage or document at the same time, it should be understood that the mechanisms in the storage areas can be optimally configured that a plurality of documents can be collected in the storage area above the fingers and then the fingers and the chest door moved to integrate the plurality of documents into the stack. Such configuration can be used to optimize the speed of operation of the automated banking machine. It should be further understood that even when the mechanisms for storing documents in storage areas is exemplary, other mechanisms which store such documents can be used in alternate additions to the invention.

The operation of the machine 10 is described herein in relation to a transaction in which the documents are recovered from the storage areas in the machine and are supplied to a customer or operator of the banking machine. This is shown schematically in Figure 54. In the assortment operation, the documents will generally be removed from a plurality of storage locations and moved concurrently under the control of the control system 30 to escrow area 66. As schematically shown in FIG. Fig. 54, each of the documents removed from the storage area moves from the respective canister transport to the adjacent remote transport segment and is directed up the door to the central transport. In the transport centers the documents each pass through the identification device 88. The type and character of the document is newly determined before being supplied to the client. The flow of documents during this assortment operation (document retrieval) is represented by the arrows "E" in Figur 54. Of course, as can be seen from the previous discussion if at any time in the document processing what will be provided to the client, an improper or non-identifiable document is found, this has been directed to the delivery / rejection area 60 for reprocessing or returning inside the machine.

The retrieval of the documents from a storage area is represented by the sequence of operations shown in Figures 55-61 in relation to the storage area 102. For purposes of clarity and simplicity of the document 480, which was previously deposited in the upper part of stack 466, will be supplied in this sequence d example of events.

As shown in Figure 55 in the initial position of the storage area 102, the chest door 44 is positioned downwardly by its associated mechanism. The inward projections of the fingers 470 and 472 extend the recesses in the inner surface 474 of the chest door. The fingers together with the inner surface of the coffer door retain the upper part of the stack which is joined by the document 480. The stack 466 is pressed upwards by the action of the spring of the push plate 468.

In the next step in the assortment of the document, the fingers 470 and 472 are moved outward in relation to the stack. This allows the document 480 on the upper surface of the stack 466 to be engaged with the projections which join the inner surface 474 of the coffer door 442.

As shown immediately in Figure 57 in front of the coffer door 442 it is moved upwards. The withdrawal wheels 482 are moved upward to engage the supply wheels 458 and 460 (see Figure 59). In similar fashion the stripping roll 484 is moved upwards to engage the supply band 462.

It should be noted with reference to Figure 59 that supply wheel 460 includes an inner part which has a segment of can flex 486 thereon. The high friction segment 486 comprises a band of elastic material extending circumferentially around the inner part of the wheel. The supply wheel 458 has similar high friction segment 488 thereon. The high friction segments extend through the opening in the chest door to provide a grip contact with the top document in the stack when the supply wheels are positioned to place the high friction segments in contact with the top document .

It should also be understood that the stripping rod 484 includes a one-way clutch type mechanism. This one-way clutch mechanism allows the stripping rod to rotate in a manner which allows a document to easily move inside the storage area 102. The clutch associated with a stripping roller 484 is oriented to receive the movement of documents outside the storage area. In this manner, the stripping roll 484 served as a stripping device which generally engages only the single document in the very top portion of the stack undresses or prevents other documents from moving out of the storage area. This is achieved because the high friction segment provides a greater force that moves the single document out of the storage area than the resistance applied to the document by the stripping roller.

As also shown in Figures 57 and 59, the kicking wheels 454 and 456 include a part extending outwardly. These parts extending outwardly are aligned so that all of the extendable parts extend through the respective openings in the coffer door simultaneously. As shown in Figure 59, these extendable portions are generally in angular alignment with the high friction segments arched on the supply wheels.

As shown in Figure 58 to pick up the document, the supply wheels and the swivel wheels are rotated so that the extending portions of the striking wheels and the high-friction segments of the supply wheels engage the document 480 in the top of the stack 466. The action of the hitting wheels, the supply wheels, the take-up wheels and the stripping roller operate to separate a document 480 from the stack and move it in a first direction from the storage area as shown in Figure 58. The preferred embodiment of the apparatus is generally designed so that a single rotation of the supply wheels and the sprocket wheels is sufficient to move a document from the storage area. Once the document is moved from the storage area it is moved again and the removal wheels and the stripping roller move through its associated mechanisms so that they are retracted from the can. Fingers 470 and 472 are moved up and in to reattach the top of the stack.

When the document 480 is moved from the storage area 102, the transmission of the light through the document is perceived. The transmission of light through the document by a sensor 490 which is similar similar to the sensor 464 and is placed on a chest door or other structure that covers the storage area or otherwise in the first direction from the storage area 102. The emitter 492 mounted on the machine emits enough light so that it can be determined if a note or double note has been removed from the stack.

The emitter 492 and the sensor 490 are connected to the control system which is programmed to recognize when a double document has been collected from the storage area. The machine can operate in a number of ways depending on the programming of the control system to deal with this occurrence. If the document has been completely removed from the stack, the document can be returned to the address and placed back on the stack. Then an attempt is made to again remove it. Alternatively, in a second attempted collection operation the supply wheels can be swung back and forth as the bill is being collected to provide the possibility of two bills being removed together. This can be done automatically by the control system in some conditions where the documents are known because they have a particularly high affinity or a high tension surface which makes them difficult to separate.

Finally, in the event that repeated attempts to collect a single bill from the storage area are a failure, the machine may operate to direct the collected document (s) to another storage area or to the refuse area 132. The machine may Then proceed to collect the next bill from the stack. The programming of the machine 1 is preferably established to minimize the associated delay when a collection problem is encountered.

After the document 480 has been successfully removed from the storage area 102 it is transported to the remote transport segment 110 and is directed by gate 118 to the central transport. The document 4 together with other documents passes the identification device 88 which confirms the identity of each document. The documents are deposited in the land area 66 where a stack of land 494 is accumulated. Then as shown schematically in Figure 62, the landslide area 494 is moved upward in the input / output area 50 of the machine. Door 54 is opened and the stack is delivered to the customer through opening 52.

The transaction flow executed by the control system to carry out the operations of the machine a withdrawal transaction is presented in Figures 69 and 70 As is the case with the deposit transaction, the machine first goes through a sequence of customer identification represented by a step 134 in which the customer operating the machine is identified. This sequence of customer identification is not usually executed again when the customer has operated the machine to carry out an immediately previous transaction. After the clients have identified themselves, the machine goes through the transaction sequence of the main ATM 136 com previously discussed.

Clients immediately indicate in a step 496 through the interconnection of clients that they wish to carry out a withdrawal transaction. The withdrawal amount then received by the machine based on the customer entries in a step 498. In a step 500 the machine operates to determine whether the withdrawal amount that the customer has requested is authorized by the programming of the machine and / programming of a computer which is in communication with the machine. If not, the machine returns to the main sequence and provides instructions to the clients.

If the withdrawal amount is authorized, the control system of the machine sees the storage locations of the various denominations of banknotes in step 502 and calculates that a mixture of banknotes can be provided to the customer in country 504. It should be noted that some Incorporations of the invention which are intended to be used primarily by commercial customers, may be allowed to those customers and select the mix of denominations of tickets that the customer will receive. This is done by the control system usand programmed drives displayed over the client interconnection. The client is provided with tickets through the customer's interconnection, which indicate the amount of money they want. However if the machine does not provide that option or the customer does not want a specific denomination selection, the machine will operate to determine the number of the various types of tickets that are available to provide the tickets to the customer in the denominations that will minimize the probability of that the machine keeps its notes of a particular type.

The machine then continues at a step 506 in which the control system operates to collect the bills from the various storage areas. As indicated by the phantom country 508, collection operations are concurrently executed in the preferred embodiment of the invention. Multiple notes can be collected from the various storage sites and can be moved as a separate bill current through the segments. of remote transport and to the central transport of the machine.

For each collection operation, after the ticket is collected a step 510 is carried out to perceive the double tickets that have been collected from a storage place. If a double is perceived in step 512 the billet is retracted to step 514 and an effort is made again to collect a single bill. However, if in step 512 s receives a single ticket the ticket is released in step 516 In step 516 the ticket is released in a coordinated relationship with the other tickets by the control system to ensure that each ticket arrives at the transport machine central in a relationship spaced by the other bills. However, the spacing is such that the bills move concurrently and are delivered at the escrow location at high speed.

An analysis of each passing ticket is made by the identification device 88 which is indicated in step 518. If the bill is recognized as suitable in a country 520, the bill is directed to the land area 66 in a step 522 the ticket is not recognized in step 520 or it is improper, this is directed to the rejection / delivery area 60 in a step 524, or another designated area in the machine programming. Failure to identify a ticket which comes from a storage place is an unusual event. This is due to the fact that each stored ticket has been usually identified twice before. Problems may arise when the ticket was loaded into the boat outside the machine. If a ticket is rejected, the transaction flow of the described incorporation continues to error recovery step 526. This error recovery program may include directing the ticket back through the central transport to a designated storage location for a subsequent analysis.

The tickets are delivered to the escrow area until all the tickets which respond to the client's withdrawal request have been delivered. Upon completion of the delivery, this is verified in step 528. A check is then made in step 530 to determine whether all the tickets that have been delivered have been properly identified. If they have been and there are bills in the rejection area, error recovery step 526 is executed.

However, if the bills have been properly identified the stack stack corresponding to the stack 494 and Figure 62 moves to the delivery position in a step 532 which aligns the escrow area with the opening in the box. The inner door is then closed in a step 534. The front door is opened in a passage 536 and the transport bands are moved to deliver the bills to the customer in a step 538.

In a step 540 a determination is made based on the reading of the sensors 148 and 150 to determine whether the bank of notes has been taken by the customer. If this is the case, s close the front door in step 542. The transaction flow then returns to the main ATM machine sequence in step 544.

However if the tickets are not taken by the customers the routines can be executed to encourage the customer through the customer interconnection to remove the tickets. However if the client does not collect the tickets, then step 546 is executed to retract the tickets inside. of the machine. The front door is closed in a step 548 and the machine then continues to the error recovery routine. This may include, for example, storing the bills instead of particular storage. Alternatively, this may involve reversing the withdrawal transaction requested by the customer and placing the tickets back into the various storage areas by running them through central transportation.

An advantage of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is the ability to operate at high speeds. This is achieved through the architecture of control system 30 which is shown schematically in Figure 63. The preferred embodiment of the system uses control system which includes a terminal processor 54. The terminal processor contains the general machine programming as well as the programs necessary for the operation of the communication functions with other systems and other functions that the machine carries out. As indicated in Figure 63, the terminal processor 548 is in operative connection with the stored data including the programmed instructions and dat. The terminal processor 548 is in communication through appropriate interconnections with the various devices of the computer machines 550.

The terminal processor 548 is also in u operative communication with a processor module 552. The module processor 552 orchestrates the operations carried out by the mode of module controllers 554, 556, 558, 56 562 and 564. As indicated, the module processor 552 is also in operative connection with its own respective data, which retains its programmed instructions and data. In a similar fashion, each of the module controllers preferably includes data storage to retain various instructions and programmed data. The module processor 5 is operatively connected to each of the module controllers via a data bus 566. The module controllers, each communicate through the data bus, only c the module 552 processor, and the processor of module communicates directly with each module controller. Ca module controller has associated with it the devices of computer equipment indicated with the number 567. Each module controller has associated with the same s own respective types of devices of computer machines, which are responsible for the operation and control .

In the operation of the system, each controller module operates programs to execute particular tasks associated with each device of the computer apparatus that is connected to it. This can be, for example, a particular function associated with moving a mechanism or a document. These tasks are coordinated in the areas executed through the module controller in relation to the computation devices. The movement of the document concurrently, however coordinated by the module processor 552 which operates to send the control signals to the various module controllers, so that the document handling functions carried ac in a chronized and coordinated relationship. The processor 544 controls the operation of the module processor to carry out the particular transactions, which are indicated by the terminal programming. As a result of this configuration, the documents are allowed to be handled concurrently, but independently through the machine which greatly accelerates the document recovery storage operation.

In the operation of the system each controller module operates the programs to execute particular tasks associated with each device device that is connected to do this. This may be, for example, a particular associative function with moving a mechanism or a document. These tasks are coordinated with other tasks executed through the module controller in relation to the related device. movement of the documents concurrently however coordinated by the module processor 552 which operates to send the control signals to the various module controllers, so that the document handling functions are brought into a synchronized and coordinated relationship. The terminal process 598 controls the operation of the module processor to carry out the particular transactions which are indicated by the terminal programming. As a result of this configuration, the documents are enabled to be handled concurrently, but independently through the machine which greatly accelerates the operation of storing and retrieving documents.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention employs a novel system through which the information in relation to the cans and the contents of the storage areas in the cans are stored in the programmable memory inside each can. This allows the control system of the invention to control the operation of the machine to adapt the properties of the boat and the documents housed therein. This feature also gives the machine a self-audit capability. Such capacity can be used to reduce the risk of money and other documents not taken into account when the boats are transported from a place where they are replaced and / or serviced, to a machine where they are installed. .

Figure 71 shows a can generally indicated with the number 600. The can 600 is supported on a box 61 of the machine. A part of the box on which the canister is supported is preferably a shelf or guide structure which allows the can to be held thereon inside the machine. The case 610 preferably incurs the rails 612 a comparable structure which requires that the can 600 s placed precisely when this is installed in the machine As indicated schematically in figure 71 the can is moved in the direction of the arrow P as it moves to the position installed in the machine. Of course the boat is moved in the opposite position to be removed. A suitable cooperative fixing mechanism is provided between the can 600 and box 610 so that the can is releasably secured in the proper position once it has been installed in the machine. Such proper positioning is necessary to ensure that the caster wheels and the caster wheels which are positioned above the canister in the casing are precisely aligned with the openings in the cassette doors when the casing is "secured in position. In a similar way other mechanisms in the banking machine box which hook the boat components generally require precise alignment for operation.

A connector generally indicated with No. 614 releasably connects the canister to the circuit inside the machine when the canister is in the operative position in the box. The connector 614 in the preferred embodiment is an electrical connector which includes a first part 616 supported on the canister. . The connector 614 further includes a second part 6 which is held in the case 610. As schematically shown in Figure 71, the second part 618 pressed outwardly by the springs 620 to facilitate engagement with a first part 616. The second part 618 includes a plurality of electrical contacts 622. The contacts 6 are preferably deformable to further facilitate electrical engagement. The contact 622 engages an additional contact 6 on the first part 616. As indicated in figure 72, the contacts 622 and 624 preferably engage in a nested relationship to ensure an adequate electrical connection.

Although an electrical connector is used in preferred embodiment of the present invention, it should be understood that in other embodiments other types of connectors may be used. This may include optical connectors, RF connectors, sonic connectors and any other type of connector or suitable device for transmitting information between the control circuit of the machine and the memory device on the can. While seven separate electrical connections are indicated in the embodiment shown, it should be understood that any number of connections can be used in the embodiment of the invention. The number of connections will depend on the type of memory inside the boat. The electrical connections are also indicated to operate devices that are on board the boat as well as to receive transmit signals from the devices such as the sensors that detect the single and double bills which are mounted on the boats. The present invention provides having a sufficient number of contacts or channels to transmit all the necessary signals that may be required to pass between the circuit which is a permanent part of the automated banking machine including the control system and the memory and other devices in the boats For incorporation of the described invention the applicants consider that twelve electrical connections can be broadly sufficient.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the canister has a programmable memory therein. In the case d can 600 shown in figure 71 the programmable memory is indicated with the number 626. In the preferred embodiment programmable memory comprises a Dallas chip which includes 1 bytes of memory. Of course the type and amount of memory will depend on the needs of the particular machine.

The on-board memory of each boat preferably includes data representative of four information categories. These categories are: 1. Information about the contents of the storage areas in the boat. 2. Maintenance and information status. 3. calibration information. 4. Security and tracking information.

The information contents stored in memory include data representative of the following information in the preferred embodiment. 1. The type of document stored in each of the storage areas (for example, currency of the United States of America, Mexican Currency, Checks of Viajer, supply of tickets, etc.). 2. The denomination of the documents stored in each one of the storage areas (for example $ 5, $ 10, $ 20, etc.). 3. The number of documents stored in the storage area. 4. Particular qualities of the stored documents (for example new, used partially covered with plastic and so on).

. The orientation of the documents in the storage area. 6. An indication of whether each storage area is adequate to receive documents or if the storage area is limited to one of the assortments or the reception.

It should be understood that in the preferred embodiment of the invention all of these data which are originally entered into the memory in a later described manner are updated when the machine is supplied or received documents inside the various storage areas. With a result the memory can be read at any time to provide an indication of what documents are present in a boat. This can be done when the boat is removed from the machine using a suitable reading device. Alternatively such reading can be done using board diagnostics that can be accessed by the automated banking machine by a person servicing or monitoring the operation of the machine.

The second category of information for which cu representative data is stored in the boat's memory is maintenance information. The maintenance information may include, for example, representative data of: The level of revision of the devices and / or software which is installed in the can so that the software in the memory and the components of the devices installed adjacent to the respective storage areas. 2. The current placement of the boats for one of the storage areas and other components (for example, special features which can be implemented for the management of a particular document).

Account data including information about preventive maintenance activity (eg the number of cycles for each storage area since preventive maintenance was carried out, the preventive maintenance type previously carried out in several cycle thresholds, l entities that led to carry out the maintenance activities, the dates of past maintenance activity and the type of future maintenance activities and how they should be carried out.

The control system of the automated banking machine uses the maintenance information to control the operation of the mechanisms which collect and deposit the documents in the storage areas to conform state of the apparatuses and programs associated with those storage areas. For example, if the storage area is modified to accommodate a particular type of documents and the control system will control the operation of the documents the machine such as by changing the speed or in another way to be optimally confederated to the particular document.

The maintenance information preferably provides a continuous record of various maintenance activities that have been carried out for the particular diner. This helps to identify recurring problems and maintenance activities that have been previously carried out in an effort to correct these problems. Historical information can be very useful to determine better methods to fix the boat. The data of cuent preferably includes the number of cycles for the various storage areas that allow making a determination of when the components should be replaced to ensure a continued proper operation. Such information can be integrated with information about when several maintenance activities have been carried out in the past and / or should be carried out in the future. This allows the maintenance activities which are optimally carried out different intervals that are to be followed and carried out as appropriate.

The calibration information included in the bot includes in the preferred embodiment data representative of 1. The type of particular sensor used in relation to each storage area to detect doubles.

The threshold output signal acts as indicative of single or double document conditions in the particular documents that the canister is set to contain. 3. Previous thresholds for double single documents for the boat on other machines or at other times, and information on reprogramming or threshold resetting for the sensors.

The calibration data is preferably used to indicate to the control system of the automated banking machine the type of sensors that are on board the particular boat adjacent to the various storage areas. As it is possible to have different types of sensors besides the areas of storage. storage, the control system is preferably programmed to operate in response to each u appropriately. For example, boats may include a mix of infrared detectors and / or detectors operating to sense light at other frequencies. The type of detector used may depend on the type of document which will be perceived. The machine's control system is preferably program to adjust its operation to conform to the particular tip of the sensors.

The memory of the < Preferred incorporation documents also include thresholds referent to sensor data indicative of double singular documents, or other document conditions. This indicates to the machine the particular output signals that indicate singular billet, double notes and other conditions, without having to retrieve this information from other memories in the terminal. Additionally, memory preferably includes information on how the terminal control system should initialize or recalibrate the sensors. This may include for example an indication that the terminal control system must operate to adjust intensity of an emitter corresponding to a particular sensor to a canister at a level which produces a particular outgoing signal when a document is not present. The approach tends to ensure that doubles are self-perceived. The data referring to previous placements and calibration data which are useful for the control system are also preferably included in the memory. This may include information regarding placements when the boat was installed in other machines, as well as placements corresponding to calibrations. previous to the particular machine in which the boat is currently installed. The memory may also include information which causes the automated banking machine control system to recalibrate the sensors on the boat at periodic intervals.

The safety tracking information carried in the memory of the boats of the preferred embodiment including the representative data of: 1. A unique serial number associated with the boat.

Information on who loaded the boat with documents on a given date.

The nature and quantity of the documents that were indicated as loaded on the bot by each individual or entity in a given date. 4. The individuals or entities responsible for transporting the boats from the loading site to an automated teller machine.

The serial number is preferably a unique serial number through the system of boats operated by a given institution or the entire population of boats. In the preferred embodiment, each manufactured canister is assigned its own unique serial number. In this way if a boat is sold or transferred there is no confusion as to the identity of the boat. This approach allows the exchange of boats between several operators and servers of banking machines, which facilitates the operation.

The information stored in the memory and relation to loading operations for the boats includes the information that the entity operating the ATM machine system may find useful in following the activities related to the boat when it is outside of an automatic teller machine. This preferably includes the dat representative of the names or identities of the organizations responsible for the loading of documents in the various storage areas in the boats as well as the names of persons or entities that certify or verify such activities. The information also includes information about the amounts that such entities charge and the time and dates of such charges. The stored information may also include information about the particular device or device which was used during each loading operation. The memory can be in an operational connection with the sensors on the chest door, and can store a separate record that refers to when each storage area was opened when the can was outside an ATM machine. This can also be used to compare the information entered by the entities that load the storage places.

Representative data of the particular carried device responsible for transporting the boat after it has been loaded may also be included in the memory. The carrier's service information may include representative data of a particular route for a car armed with another vehicle through the vehicle. which the boat will be transported. The information may also include the particular entities and / individuals responsible for the transport of the boat as well as an indication of who accepted the boats on behalf of the entity that transports the boat to a machine. The representative data a particular machine to which the boat is being directed (a particular machine is designated) can also be included. This information can be used as a key way that the boat will not be operated or an alarm will not be given if an attempt is made to install the boat in the inadequate machine. The coding techniques can be used for the key dat as well as to secure other data stored in memory on the boats.

Particular entities that refer to service tracking data that load and transport the bots can be replaced each time the canister is recharged in a remote location outside the machine or can be maintained in a continuous historical ba. How this is done will depend on the need of the system operator and the amount of memory available for this purpose. As will be appreciated from the following discussion, this information may be particularly useful if there is a discrepancy between what is indicated as being loaded into a boat and what is actually determined to be in the boat when it is received in the banking machine. .

In operation, the control system 30 of the automatic banking machine of the preferred embodiment responds to the information stored in the memory of the can 62 and prepares the operation of the machine in accordance with the same. For example, the information relating to the type and denomination documents in the storage areas is used to put the operation of the machine as well as to initialize the machine's memory in relation to what is stored in each storage lug. The information regarding the types of documents as well as the devices and software on board the boats is used to adjust the operation of the banking machine to the particular devices and software present. It's feature allows boats to be machine-installed in any of the available places where boats can be placed. This is a substantial advantage over certain machines of the prior art type which require that the cans be placed in particular places within the machine.

Figure 73 is a schematic representation of equipment associated with the canister loading operation carried remotely from the banking machine. A recycle can 628 is shown in Figure 73. Can 628 includes four separate document storage areas indicated by numbers 630, 632, 634 and 636. It should be understood that cans used in connection with the present invention may have greater or lesser number of storage areas. Each of the storage areas is similar to those previously discussed from which the documents can be removed aggregates.

The can 628 has a programmable memory on it indicated with the number 638. The memory 638 is similar to the memory 626 on the can 600 which has been previously discussed. The memory 638 is connected to a first part of a connector on the can 628, the first part is similar to the part 616 on the can 600.

Apparatus 640 is shown attached to can 628 in FIG. 73. Apparatus 640 is a suitable apparatus for making electrical connections to memory 638. Apparatus 640 also provides operational connections to sensors, actuators, other devices which are on board the boat 628.

The apparatus 640 is in an operational connection with the input / output device 642. The input / output device 642 in the preferred embodiment is a computer which includes output services such as input devices and grids such as a keyboard or mouse . The computer 642 includes a memory and a processor. The memory includes programs which are suitable for interconnecting the components in the can 628, as well as for loading and receiving information from the memory 638.

According to a method used in connection with a preferred embodiment of the invention, individuals such as employees of a bank or a service provider are responsible for loading the documents in the storage areas in the 628 can. This can be done in a safe place away from the automated banking machines. The individuals responsible for loading the documents in the storage areas indicate the type and denomination of the documents to the memory 638 through the 642 computer. The individuals also put information corresponding to the number of documents in the storage area as well as an orientation of the document. The individuals who are responsible for the boats' charge also load into the memory through inputs the input devices information regarding whether the documents are new or used and any other information that can be used by the machine's control system. in operations, storing and removing documents from the various storage areas.

The individuals responsible for the loading of the documents also preferably put information relative to their identifications as well as the time they were carried out the loading operations. The names of the entities or individuals that testify or verify the load may also be included. This can be done through manual entries such as through a keyboard. Alternatively such data may be read from an object or characteristic associated with a user such as a card having optical magnetic marks or indicia or a biometric input. This identification data is loaded through the computer 642 in the memory d pot. The individuals who load the boat also preferably indicate and load in memory the entities responsible to transport the boat from the management area to an automated banking machine. This may include, for example, the company and / or the individual individuals who work for the company who receive the boat. The information loaded in the memory can also include a route number which indicates the ru that the boat will travel before being installed in the device. Again this information can be entered through several types of input devices which are operatively connected to the computer.

In the preferred embodiment, the information is loaded into the memory of the can through the 642 computer. However, in other embodiments such information may be added through a separate terminal which includes a computer. A terminal can add this information to the memory at the moment when the boat is taken by the individual who has the responsibility to install it. This may prove inconvenient in situations where the individuals who load the cash do not know who will drive the subsequent handling. Alternatively, the loading of the documents can be done by an automatic banking machine with characteristics similar to the machine 10. Such a loading machine can receive canister and count the existing documents in the storage areas by verifying the memory of the can with respect to any discrepancy. The machine can then add documents to the storage areas based on the instructions of the individual responsible for the recharge. Machine can also update the pot memory. It is minimizes manual labor. The card, the keyboard, the biometric inputs and others can be used to provide identification of an authorized user accessing the load machine and to capture the data to be loaded into the boat's memory.

When the boat is removed from the automatic box machine at its recharge, preventive maintenance or modifications to the boat can be carried out. The information relating to activities of this type which are carried out are preferably loaded into memory 638 using computer 642. In addition, computer 642 can be used to check cycle information to determine if preventive maintenance is necessary in relation to any of the boat components.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the data which are stored in the memory 638 may be encoded or otherwise secured to minimize the risk of unauthorized individuals gaining access to it. 642 computer can be programmed with software that requires the entry of secret words, similar public key encoding to modify the data stored in the memory d pot. The banking machine control system may include the appropriate ability to decipher the memory information to provide the proper keys or other inputs to enable the operation of the can relative to the machine. Tale precautions minimize the risk of pillage. Of course, other incorporations can be used other approaches to ensure the data stored in the memory of the boat.

After the pot has been loaded with cash and the information in memory 638 has been updated, the pot is closed. This is done in a preferred embodiment using the appropriate covers or other mechanisms which prevent access to the storage areas until the bot is placed inside the machine. The transport service another entity responsible for the transport of the boats transport them to an automated banking machine. The interior of the machine is accessed by opening the safe part of the machine and an existing canister is removed. The can 628 is then replaced by the existing can. Of course when such operations are carried out they can be common to replace several of the boats housed in the machine. The embodiments of the invention may require that the individual loading the cans in the machine identify himself or herself by means of a card or other entry. The information relating to the time of the insertion of the boats can also be recorded in the machine's memory.

Upon perceiving the control system of the automated banking machine a boat replacement, or alternatively response to an order which is presented to the machine either through the user interconnection or from a remote location the machine proceeds to make a self audit In the self-audit the machine removes the documents from each of the storage areas and moves the documents through central transport. As each of the documents is moved beyond the identification device 88, each document is identified to determine its type and denomination. The documents are then stored in the escrow areas. After the documents have been identified, a comparison is made in relation to the type and denomination of the documents that the machine found to have stored in the storage area, to the number and type of documents. such documents that are indicated as having been loaded in that area. Once the control system determines that the actual document information corresponds to the information in the memory, the documents are reloaded back into the storage area and loaded back into an alternate available storage area from which the documents can be subsequently selectively sorted. The control system then operates the automated banking machine to verify the other storage areas and the corresponding information.

If the automated banking machine determines that there is a discrepancy between the information in the bot's memory and the current documents found to be in the can, an appropriate indication is stored to indicate the discrepancy. In the preferred form of the invention this discrepancy signal is provided to a bank or other information that operates the machine which has found the discrepancy. The manner in which such discrepancies are reported is indicated schematically through the system shown in Figure 74.

If the automated banking machine schematically indicated with the number 10 determines that there is a discrepancy between the data loaded in the canister's memory and the actual contents of the storage areas, it transmits a signal indicative of the discrepancy electronically through the network indicated with the number 644 The network is connected to a host computer 646. The host computer 646 is preferably a computer operated by a bank or other entity which operates the ATM machines.

The host computer 646 processes the indicative message of the discrepancy. The host computer then preferably outputs a message to an appropriate departure terminal 647 to determine an individual responsible for what discrepancy has been detected. In a preferred embodiment, the output terminal 647 to which the message is addressed is a terminal accessible by the individuals responding for the remote location where the canister reporting the discrepancy was loaded. In addition, the messages passed from the automated banking machine 10 to the host computer 646 may include information relating to the particular individuals who are responsible for charging the tickets and transporting the cash to the machine. This information can also include the data stored in the memory in relation to times when the chest doors were opened when the boat was outside the machine. The information of who loaded the cans in the ATM machine and the time of the same can also be provided. This information can also be an output on the 647 terminal depending on the system configuration.

Individuals who receive discrepancy messages at the 647 exit terminal can ask the ATM machine's memory and the remote location's canister. This provides the information to allow verification with the responsible individuals to discover the cause of the possible discrepancy. In addition, the individuals investigating the discrepancy can verify the memory status within the input / output terminal 642 or the automated charging device. This can be a source of potential problems. The discovery and resolution of the discrepancies quickly minimizes the risk of improper activity that could remain undetected and pillage instances were determined.

When the automated banking machine performs a self-audit it will usually return the documents that were initially removed from a storage area to count them and to identify them in a storage area. This may be the storage area in which the documents were loaded or it may be an alternate storage area selected by the machine's control system. If the documents are loaded into a different storage area or there is a different document number than the one indicated in the memory, the control system operates to modify the information stored in the bot's memory. Similarly, if the audit determines that one or more documents have been improperly loaded, such documents can be transported to a storage area where similar documents are stored. Again the boat memories are updated to reflect these changes.

When a boat is loaded into a machine and control system it preferably operates to calibrate the sensors in the boats. This is preferably done using the sensor data stored in the pot memory. Such calibration activities may include, for example, having the control system by modifying the level of the transmitters so that the appropriate differentiation can be made between the signals that correspond to the singulis and double tickets. From then on other calibrations can be carried out depending on the types of sensors used in the boats. Once these calibration data are collected such information can also be stored in the pot memory. Although such calibration data can also be stored in other memory within the automated banking machine, the machine can be operated based on the data stored in the can memories. This can avoid duplication and allow a localized processing of the data which accelerates the operation of the machine.

During the operation of the automatic storage machine the information stored in the memories of the boat is preferably updated. This may include changing information about the type and number of documents stored in each of the storage areas. The information stored in the memories of the can also include information relating to the origins of the documents that are subsequently stored in the storage areas. The preferred embodiment of the invention determines the orientation of the document., and the information relating to the orientation of the document of a particular documents placed in the storage places can also be stored the memories. Alternatively, the automatic teller machine can reorient the documents or can segreg documents of the same type in different storage areas based on the orientation. The continuous updating of the memory information allows the boat memories to be accessed so that their contents can be determined. This is preferably done remotely from the host computer 646 through the 644 network. E alternate service personnel accessing the banking machines can obtain this information through an appropriate interconnection connection in the ATM machine.

The control system of the automated banking machines can be programmed to periodically carry out an auto audit to determine if the information stored in the canister memories reflects the documents actually stored in the storage places. Alternatively, the auto audit may be initiated through a message from the host computer 646. The periodic self-audit of the automated banking machines may be particularly desirable in situations when individuals add coins to other documents in the machines. If this has been done by accessing storage places and adding documents to it, it may be particularly desirable to verify the amount, type and number of documents added.

The automated banking machines of the preferred embodiments of the present invention are also programmed to have their control system carrying out periodic self-calibration. The autocalibration of the various sensors and other components is desirable to minimize the risk of errors due to deterioration of the sensor or the accumulation of dirt or other contaminants. The autocalibration can be carried out as a result of programmed instructions on the machine or it can be initiated by a message from the host computer 646. Of course, the frequency of the self-calibration and self-audit activities will be established by the entity that operates the machines.

Alternate documents may be added to the ATM machine of the preferred embodiment directly by an entry through the usual customer interface. Service providers who want to add documents to storage areas can operate the machine in a manner generally similar to that used by customers. This may involve inserting the identification data on a card, through a keyboard, through a biometric reorder or combinations of them. The documents can then be inserted in the entry / exit area and processed in the manner previously described. In this position rather than having such documents credited to an individual's account, the aggregate documents are indicated as having been added to the name of the institution or other entity that operates the machines.

For example, an automated banking machine that employs the principles of the invention can be used in a banking environment, retail or other transactions where cash is taken from a source available within the institution and loaded into the machine through of the section d transport of cash validation. Such money can be taken for example from a cash register, a money counter, a safe or a similar device. In some incorporations, the device or source from which the cash is taken can be operated to print a cash register removed from the source. This may be a paper record or other record indicating the amount involved. The record may include other information such as the identification of the responsible person and the withdrawal time. The person depositing the cash may have access to the machine in the usual manner of a customer such as with a card, a keyboard and / or biometric entries Alternatively other approaches can be used to provide access to a person making the deposit on behalf of the entity that owns the machine.

When depositing the cash, the machine verifies the quantity and stores it in one or more storage places. The person who charges the machine is preferably provided with a receipt or other record showing the amount of deposit. The user can keep the deposit record with his withdrawal record to show the appropriate amount for the money. A journal printer inside the banking machine also preferably operates to make a record in the deposit machine. Alternatively, or in addition, an electronic record may be stored in the machine or elsewhere in the system to reflect that the deposit was made.

In some additions the deposit in the banking machine in the name of the owner of the machine can cause the machine to generate appropriate messages to a connected host computer to make an account to the owner be credited. This can happen in a manner similar to crediting accounts by customers who make deposits in the banking machine. In alternate additions, no credit is made corresponding to the owner's account of the machine. This can be done in situations where the machine operator owns the machine and it is enough to know that the operator's money has moved from one place of storage to another.

In the case of a machine operated by a bank, a similar entity, when withdrawing customers from the banking machine, the client's accounts with the machine operator are electronically reduced based on the amount of withdrawals. Alternatively, if the operator of the machine is not a financial institution or similar entity with which customers have deposits, customer withdrawals result in crediting the customer's account at a remote financial institution, credit card company or entity. Similary. When the machine operator account is credited, the customer accounts are loaded. This allows an operator of the machine to earn the entrance of available money by crediting at least a part of the surcharges that the clients pay for the convenience of making the withdrawals. This can be very beneficial for businesses that can receive cash within a single establishment and provide cash to customers through the banking machine, a substantial part of which is spent in the establishment.

Even though paper receipts to follow cash transfers from a money source to the banking machine may be adequate in some environments alternate or additional approaches may be used. For example, an employee of the institution may be provided with an object and which includes a record of cash withdrawal. This can include a readable object by the machine that can be read by a device in or in relation to the automated banking machine. The object may include indicia representative of the amount of the withdrawal. This may also include representative indications of other information such as time and date, the person receiving the cash, the denominations of money, the source of the money, the intended destination of the money, a digital signature, a digital image of the person taking the money. e cash and / or other information. This information may be provided in a paper record, such as by means of a bar code or similar indications. Alternatively, the indicia can be stored on a card such as a magnetic strip or on a memory chip on a smart card.

The person who receives the cash can be enabled to put the data on the representative object d taking money, with the reading device on the automated banking machine. These indications that identify the taking of money can be used to verify that the amount deposited corresponds to the amount of cash taken. This can be done for example by including the data on a magnetic strip or chip on a card that can be read by the card reader on the machine. The control system of the machine can be programmed to operate in response to the card's dat to make the machine carry out the deposit transaction. "The appropriate indications can be given in the case of any discrepancy between the quantity d cash indicated as taken and the amount deposited Alternatively, the source of the cash and the banking machine can be operatively interconnected, such as through a local area network, so that an indication is given to an output device if the deposit in The machine was not made within a period of time measured from when the cash was taken or does not correspond to the cash taken.

The described method of depositing cash in the automated banking machine from a source owned by the machine operator can be carried out with a machine described in detail here which accepts cash deposits from customers and supplies cash to customers. . And the alternative incorporations the method can be carried out with other types of banking machines. Such machines can be configured to accept deposits only from the machine operator and to supply cash to customers. Numerous approaches employing the teachings of the invention can be used.

The incorporations of the money recycling banking machine of the present invention can also operate to adjust the amount and type of cash in the machine to suit the needs of particular transaction environments. For example, the machines serving several cash cans can be programmed to identify deposit and assortment streams and to facilitate the removal of excess notes of one type and the other necessary ticket rotation.

To achieve this function, the storage areas of the machine are generally maintained with a selected number of banknotes and a mixture of denominations of banknotes. Some space is also kept in the boats so there is a place to accept 'deposited' tickets. In the machine programming at least one multi-storage area can can be designed as the exchange boat. The exchange boat is the boat that is usually removed from the machine and is reinstalled after which additional bills have been added and / or excess bills have been removed.

The control system is programmed so that when a boat is not in position the machine will continue to operate and deposit tickets from and to the remaining boats. This is achieved based on the control system that perceives that there is no electrical contact with a boat in one of the boat positions. As a result one of the (several) boats that will be used as an exchange boat can be removed while the machine remains in operation.

The control system is preferably a program to check the quantity and denominations of the bills that are being added to the machine and to compare these data with the quantity and denominations of the bills that are being deposited. In some environments the amount and the mixture of the assorted bills will be substantially different from those deposited. For example, customers may tend to deposit more $ dollar bills and $ 5 dollar bills than they are stocked. Similarly, in some operating environments, more $ 20 bills may be stocked than those deposited.

The control system is operated to note the character of the deposits and withdrawals and to calculate the cash requirements of the machine. This can be done based on attempts to maintain a generally constant ticket mix and the number of bills in the machine, the mix and the amounts of stored bills can be changed to meet future anticipated demands based on past experience. The approach of tom depends on the operator and how he wants the machine to be programmed. Bills in excess of those expected and being necessary can be stored in the exchange boat. The information stored in the memory of the bo by the control system can indicate the nature of the stored bills, and also that these are bills in excess to be removed when the boat is recharged. Similarly, the control system can program the memory on the exchange bots to indicate that certain types of banknotes are needed in the machine. For example, the memory may indicate that several hundred $ 20 bills are expected as needed and that they should be added to the exchange boat.

When the exchange boat is removed from the machine and taken to a station to be replaced, computer to the terminal is notified in response to information stored in the boat's memory of what billet to remove and which tickets to add. Such removals and additions can be made and the boat returned to the machine. The memory of the boat is preferably updated before returning to indicate that it has been redrawn and to indicate which bills are now being held. In response to the reinstallation of the exchange boat and / or the indication of its memory that it has been filled in, the control system can audit the contents of the boat as previously described. After the audit the control system can direct the tickets to other storage places to re-equip the supplies there or return the tickets to the storage places in the exchange boat if another space is not available. If the bills are moved out of the exchange boat, any excess bills that have accumulated can be moved and stored there. The approach using the exchange boats reduces the need to transport the boats and to avoid the times without work of the machine to re-endow with money.

In the alternate embodiments and methods of operation of the invention, the excess cash can be discharged and the necessary cash inflow through the interconnection of the customer of the machine. This can be done by a service provider or employee of the machine operator who identifies himself to the machine in one of the ways previously discussed. When the user is identified as an authority to refill the machine, the machine can be operated to purge the bills in excess of one type and request that other types of tickets be given. The display or other output devices on the client interconnection can be used to provide instructions for the addition and removal of cash. Removal and additions may be from to storage areas in one or more designated exchange boats or from other multiple storage locations as required. The approach of taking depends on the preferences of the operator of the machine and the programming of the control system.

Therefore, the preferred embodiment of the present invention achieves the above-mentioned objects eliminates the difficulties encountered in the use of the above devices, systems and methods and achieves the desired results described herein.

In the previous description, certain terms have been used briefly, for clarity and understanding. However, unnecessary limitations of the same should not be implicated because such terms are used for the purpose of description and are intended to be widely considered. In addition the above descriptions and illustrations are by way of example and the invention is not limited to the details shown or described.

In the following claims, any characteristic described as means for performing a function will be considered as encompassing any means capable of carrying out the recited function and should not be limited to the means shown described in the foregoing description as it performs the function. recited function or its equivalents Having described the characteristics, discoveries or principles of the invention, the way in which it is constructed and operates and the new and useful results obtained, the new and useful structure devices, elements, arrangements, parts , combine systems, operations, methods and relationships are set forth in the appended claims.

Claims (34)

R E I V I N D I C A C I O N S

1. An apparatus comprising: an automated banking machine that includes. a pot, the pot includes a storage area there containing a first number of sheets of a first type; 10 a programmable memory on the can, e wherein the memory retains data representative of the first number of sheets and of the first type d sheets held in the storage area; 15 a mechanism of collection and insertion and an operative connection with the can, where the collection and insertion mechanism operates selectively pair either remove the leaves from the 20 storage or to insert the sheets in the storage area; a transport of leaves in the machine, e where the transport of leaves is operated for Moving the sheets along a trajectory of sheets and wherein the sheet path is in operative connection with the collection and insertion mechanism; an identification device adjacent to the sheet path, wherein the identification device is operated to perceive identifying the sheets in the sheet path a control system in operational connection 10 with the memory of the boat, the collection and insertion mechanism, the transport sheet and the identification device, where the control system is operated to remove one of the leaves from the storage area. 15 using the collection and insertion mechanism, to move the sheets in the transport to the identification device, to determine with the identification device a second number of leaves removed from the area Storage and a second type for each leaf removed from the storage area, and where the control system operates to compare the representative data of the first number and second number, and for each sheet to compare 25 representative data of the first type and of the second type, so that the information stored in the memory in relation to the leaves is compared with the data relative to the leaves which were stored in the storage area.

2. The apparatus, as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the automated banking machine includes a box, and wherein the canister is removably mounted in the box.

3. The apparatus, as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that it further comprises a releasable connector wherein the connector operatively connects the control system and the memory when the canister is mounted in the box.

4. The apparatus, as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the control system also operates to generate a signal in response to a discrepancy between the first and second numbers or between the first and second types of each sheet.

5. The apparatus, as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the canister includes a plurality of storage areas, wherein each storage area is dimensioned to retain a plurality of sheets and where the memory includes data representative of the type and of the number d sheets maintained in each of the storage areas.

6. The apparatus, as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the machine includes a plurality of cans, each canister having a storage area that includes a number of sheets of a type there, and a memory on each canister that holds, representative data of an additional number of sheets of an additional type, and wherein each bot is in operative connection with a mechanism of collection insertion, and wherein the control system is in operative connection with each mechanism of collection and insertion and cad memory of can, and where the control system operates to cause each collection and insertion mechanism to remove the leaves from each storage area in each can, move the leaves through the transport to the identification device, and to determine with the device d identification the number of sheets and the type of each leaf removid of each area of storage of boat, and to compare the number and the type of each area of warehouse with the added number and the type data stored in the memory of the respective bot.

7. The apparatus, as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that it also comprises an input device in the machine, wherein the input device is in operative connection with the control system, and in which control system operates in response at the entrance to the input device to make the collection and insertion mechanism remove a sheet from the storage place, where the storage area retains a second number of sheets, where the control system operates to change the data in memory programmable data representative of the second number of pages.

8. The apparatus, as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the control system operates to cause the picking and insertion mechanism to add a sheet to the storage area, whereby the storage area retains a second number of sheets, and where the control system operates to change the data in the programmable memory to data representative of the second number of sheets

9. The apparatus, as claimed in clause 8, characterized in that the automated banking machine further includes a sheet receiving mechanism, wherein the sheet receiving mechanism is in operative connection with the identification device, and wherein the The control is operated to cause the collection and insertion mechanism to insert the sheet into the storage location in response to the machine receiving the sheet through the leaf receiving mechanism and the identification device identifying the sheet co of the first type.

10. The apparatus, as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the automated banking machine includes a box, and wherein the canister is removably mounted on the box, and wherein the collection and insertion mechanism is in operative connection with the area of storage, and control system is in operative connection with the memor when the canister is mounted in the box; an apparatus also comprises: a computer located remotely from a machine, where the computer is operatively and releasably connected with memory when the boat is removed from the machine where it is. computer operates to read the dat in memory.

11. The apparatus, as claimed in clause 10, characterized in that it also comprises an input device in operative connection with the computer, and in which the data in the memory is changed in response to the input to the input device, so that the memory is changeable response to the leaves added or removed from the storage place.

12. The apparatus, as claimed in clause 11, characterized in that it further comprises a loader terminator, wherein the loading terminal is remotely located from the machine and wherein the loaded mechanism includes a mechanism operated to selectively load the leaves from the loading area. storage where the bo is in the terminal, and where the terminal includes a computer.

13. The apparatus, as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the canister memory also includes data representative of an orientation of the documents in the storage area.

14. The apparatus, as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the data stored in the memory include data representative of the maintenance information.

15. The apparatus, as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that it also comprises at least one sensor in the can and in which the memory also includes data representative of the calibration information.

16. The apparatus, as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the machine includes a box and where the canister is releasably mounted in the box and where the memory includes representative data of safety tracking information.

17. The apparatus, as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the control system is also operative to determine a type of sheet required in the machine, and to store data representative of the type of sheet required in the memory.

18. The apparatus, as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the control system also operates to determine a required number of sheets required in the machine and to store data representative of the necessary number in the memory.

19. The apparatus, as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the control system operates to determine a type of sheet not necessary and that is not required in the machine, and to store representative data of the sheet type not necessary in the memory.

20. The apparatus, as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the control system operates to determine an unnecessary number of sheets not required in the machine, to store data representative of the number needed in the memory.

21. The apparatus, as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the machine includes a plurality of storage areas, each storage area retains a plurality of sheets, and wherein the storage areas retain a plurality of sheet types, and where the control system operates to determine the non-necessary type of sheets and a non-necessary number of the necessary type of sheets, and where the control system is operated to make the non-necessary number of the type of sheet necessary to be placed in the area of control. storage of the boat by collection and insertion mechanism, and where the control system is also operated to include representative data of the non-necessary type and of the number not necessary in the memory.

22. The apparatus, as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that it also comprises a remote station that includes an output device, wherein the remote station is in operative connection with the machine, and wherein the control system is also operated to generate a signal and response to a discrepancy between the first number and the second numbers, or the first or second type for each sheet, and where the signal is operated to cause an output through the remote terminal's output device.

23. The apparatus, as claimed in clause 22, characterized in that the output includes indicia representative of the discrepancy.

24. A method comprising the steps of: load a storage area on a bot with a first number of a first type of sheets scheduling a memory in the can with data representative of the first number of sheets and first type of sheets loaded in the storage area; install the boat in an automated banking machine; remove each sheet from the storage area with a collection and insertion mechanism in the automated banking machine; determine a second type for each leaf removed from the storage area and a second number of leaves removed from the storage area using an identification device on the machine; compare with a machine comparison device the second type of sheet for each sheet the second number of sheets determined in the determination pa to the representative data of the first type of sheets and the first number stored in the memory.

25. The method, as claimed in clause 24, further characterized by the step of: provide an indication with an indication device if any discrepancy is found in the comparison step between number and the type of sheets determined in the determination country and the number and type of card indicated in the memory as stored in the storage area.

26. The method, as claimed in clause 25, characterized in that before the step of the installation it also comprises the step of: storing in the memory representative data an entity carrying out the loading step; and after the step of providing ade comprises the step of reading from the memory the dat representative of the identity.

27. The method, as claimed in clause 25, characterized in that before the installation step it also comprises the step of: store in the memory representative data an entity responsible for transporting the boat the automated banking machine, and transport the boat to the automated banking machine and after the step of proportion it also includes the step of reading from the memory the representative data of the entity.

28. The method, as claimed in clause 25, characterized in that in addition to the installation step comprises the step of: storing in the memory representative data an entity that responds to the installation d boat in the automated banking machine; and after the step of providing adem comprises the step of reading from the memory the dat representative of the entity.

29. The method, as claimed in clause 25, further characterized because before the step install includes the step of: store in the memory representative data an entity that witnesses the passage of cargo; and after the step of providing further comprises the step of reading from the memory the representative data of the entity.

30. The method, as claimed in clause 24, characterized in that before the step of the installation it also comprises the steps of: close the storage area with a cover; perceive with a sensor that the cover is open; Y store in memory representative data of the opening of the cover.

31. The method, as claimed in clause 24, characterized in that before the step of the installation it also comprises the steps of carrying out a maintenance activity in the canister and recording data representative of the maintenance activity in the memory

32. The method, as claimed in clause 24, characterized in that before the passage of the load also comprises the steps of: read from the memory the representative data of a necessary type of sheets, where the step d loading the first type corresponds to the type d sheets required.

33. The method, as claimed in clause 24, further characterized in that it comprises the steps of storing a second number of the first type d sheets removed in the can removal step e% 156 a second storage area in the machine where the second storage area is in the can; Y change the memory on the can to indicate that the second number of the first type of leaves was removed from the storage area.

34. The method, as claimed in 10 clause 24, further characterized by comprising the step d returning at least one of the leaves removed from the storage area in the removal step to the storage area R E S U E N An automated banking machine identifies such co-bills deposited by a user in document storage areas. The machine selectively retrieves such documents from storage areas and delivers them. The machine includes a central transport where the documents deposited in a stack are unstacked, oriented identified. Such documents are then directed to the storage areas in the boats. The documents in the storage areas are selectively taken from it and delivered to the user through an entry / exit area of the machine. Each boat includes a memory which retains information regarding the number and type of documents housed in the boat as well as other information related to the device and program resident in the boat. The report also includes data representative of the individuals responsible for loading the boat. The machine performs self-audit activities to verify that the documents held in the storage areas correspond to the information stored in the memory and indicate discrepancies.