RU2273052C2 - System and method for tracking bank notes by means of automated banking machine - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: engineering of automatic banking machines.

SUBSTANCE: machine takes in bank notes, processes checks and performs other actions. Bank notes received by machine and estimated as legitimate, can be returned to circulation and given out to other users. Bank notes estimated by machine as having doubtful origin, may be marked with removable mark and subjected to additional analysis. Checks processed by machine may be displayed by displaying device, cancelled and stored in machine or returned to user. Documents created by machine like receipts, checks or payment orders, and also bank notes given out by machine, may be gathered in stack inside the machine and given out from machine through a slit.

EFFECT: engineering of device configured for performing various transactions, including those for processing a stack of documents from client or to client, for checking legitimacy of documents with marking of suspicious, unacceptable documents.

7 cl, 24 dwg

Description

Technical field

The present invention relates to automated banking machines. In particular, the present invention relates to an automated banking machine that issues and receives documents, such as banknotes, and identifies suspicious banknotes for analysis and processing.

State of the art

Automated banking machines are known. A common type of automated banking machine is a bank machine (ATM, ATM).

ATMs can be used by individuals to receive cash from their accounts, pay bills, transfer money between accounts and to place deposits. Some ATMs also enable customers to deposit checks, money orders, operate with traveler's checks, or provide other tools. Such ATMs sometimes have the ability to create an electronic image of the deposited document.

ATMs can also provide various types of paper sheets to customers. Such paper sheets include cash bills that customers take out of the car. Customers may also accept paper materials such as payment orders, bank checks, paper money, stamps, or other paper sheet materials stored or produced by the machine. Customers can also accept a printed paper sheet from ATM, which is a receipt indicating the specific details of the transactions they made with the machine. In addition, customers can request and receive from some ATM more detailed information about transactions conducted with their account.

Some ATMs have several different locations in the machine where paper sheets are received or handed out to the customer. For example, most machines include one area for issuing cash to a customer and another area for receiving deposits. More than one deposit acceptance area may be provided for accepting various types of deposits. For example, an ATM may have one slot for receiving deposits in envelopes and a separate slot for receiving negotiable (transferable) documents, such as checks. ATMs may also have a dedicated area for issuing customer receipts. If the machine has the ability to print a full bank statement on a larger document, an additional area can be provided where paper status sheets can be provided.

The presence of different areas for the interface with the customer at ATM for receiving and issuing various types of paper sheets is necessary because each type of paper sheets is processed by a different mechanism inside the machine. Each of these mechanisms has its own separate access to the customer. This makes machines with different features significantly different from other machines and increases the difficulty in their operation. Providing several different delivery and transportation routes for receiving and delivering paper materials to customers also complicates the machine and increases its cost.

While the disadvantages associated with the many slots for delivering and receiving paper sheets are easily appreciated with respect to ATM, other automated banking machines have similar disadvantages. For example, the machines used by bank tellers to count money received from customers are usually completely different machines from those used to issue cash, which should be issued by the cashier to the customer. Separate machines are also often provided for receiving and displaying checks and other types of negotiable documents and valuable documents. Often a separate terminal is provided for printing status or transaction reports for the customer. Automated banking machines that accept documents, such as banknotes, are also becoming more common. In some such automated banking machines, a document, such as a banknote, can be received from the customer and evaluated for its authenticity by devices within the machine. If it is determined that the presented banknote is reliable, it can be stored in the machine and later issued to the same or another customer requesting the receipt of banknotes from the machine.

Such automated banking machines can sometimes accept false or suspicious documents. When this happens, the document is usually rejected by the machine. In some circumstances, it may be desirable in the case of a fake document to remove the document from circulation and / or to identify the person who submitted it in order to investigate the source of the fake documents. Also, in some cases, the documents submitted may generally appear reliable, but may not meet the requirements to be accepted by the machine. However, even though such submitted documents are most likely to be reliable, the machine may reject them because they do not satisfy the entire set of criteria characteristic of a uniquely reliable document that is suitable for being accepted, stored and later issued by the machine .

Thus, there is a need for an automated banking machine and system that is capable of receiving and issuing documents, such as banknotes, which have the ability to receive and identify invalid and suspicious banknotes that are capable of providing information that can be used to identify and store such banknotes and which provides the ability to contact the object responsible for the presentation of banknotes into the machine.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention to provide an automated banking machine.

A further object of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is to provide an automated banking machine that has a simpler interface with a customer.

Another objective of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is the creation of an automated banking machine, which has one slot for receiving and issuing various types of papers and documents.

A further object of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is to provide an automated banking machine that performs many banking transactions and which has a compact physical size.

Another objective of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is the creation of an automated banking machine, which can be more simply configured to provide various banking transactions.

Another objective of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is to provide an automated banking machine that is economical to manufacture and operate.

Another objective of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is the creation of an automated banking machine that receives and issues various types of bank documents in a pile from the customer and the customer, respectively.

A further object of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is to provide an automated banking machine that is capable of evaluating the accuracy of deposited documents.

Another objective of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is to provide an automated banking machine that is capable of marking suspicious and / or false documents in a machine.

The next task of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is the creation of an automated banking machine, which provides the ability to track a suspicious or false document in relation to the source of the document.

Another objective of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is the creation of an automated banking machine that is capable of marking a suspicious document with a removable tag, which can be removed from the document if it is later determined that the document is reliable.

Another objective of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is the creation of an automated banking machine that marks a suspicious document received in the machine with an indicator that corresponds to a specific transaction, account and / or user associated with placing the suspicious document in the machine.

A further object of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is to provide an automated banking machine that marks a suspicious document with a removable machine-readable indicator.

Another objective of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is the creation of an automated banking machine, which is suitable for use in connection with an assessment operation, which provides the ability to evaluate suspicious documents in order to determine the accuracy and remove marks from documents identified as reliable.

A further object of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is to provide a method for operating an automated banking machine system.

A further object of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is to provide a method of operating an automated banking machine system in which false and / or suspicious documents are deposited in an automated banking machine.

Another objective of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is to provide a method whereby suspicious documents deposited in an automated banking machine are identified by a removable marking, and the marking is deleted after the validity of the deposited document is verified.

The next objective of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is to provide a method by which you can come into contact with people responsible for depositing false documents into an automated banking machine.

Another objective of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is to provide a method by which documents entered into an automated banking machine, identified as invalid, are monitored for a particular entity responsible for entering such documents into the machine.

Other objectives of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the best modes of carrying out the invention and the attached claims.

The above problems are solved in an exemplary embodiment of an automated banking machine having a transportation means that moves paper sheets or stacks of paper sheets along the first transportation path. The first transportation route passes from a user-accessible hole (slot) in the machine interface. The machine also includes an internal second transportation path for transporting paper sheets. The second transportation path converges with and intersects with the first transportation path. A paper sheet guiding device is installed next to this intersection. The machine further includes at least one device for issuing paper sheets and at least one device for receiving paper sheets for issuing and receiving paper sheets, respectively. The devices for issuing and receiving paper sheets are in operative connection with either the first or second transport route.

During operation of the exemplary machine, a stack of paper sheets, which may include various types of documents, is received from the user, moves from the slot along the first transportation path. When the stack passes an intersection, a paper sheet guiding device is promptly selected to separate the sheet from the stack and direct this paper sheet to the second transport path. In the second transport path with separated paper sheet, separate manipulations can be performed for processing or storage in the machine. Passing the stack through the intersection allows for selective removal of paper sheets from the stack in response to the operation of the paper sheet guiding device.

Paper sheets that are dispensed or otherwise held in a machine can be stacked by moving the paper sheets to the first transport path. The paper sheet in the second transportation path moves toward the intersection in a coordinated manner with the first paper sheet. The first and second paper sheets are folded with alignment and form a stack in the first transportation path when these paper sheets move through the intersection. Additional paper sheets are selectively added to the stack when the stack then again moves through the intersection, while the next paper sheets move to the intersection through the second transport path. Various types of paper sheets are selectively stacked during machine operation. A control circuit controls the components of the machine to assemble a stack. Once the stack is assembled, it is delivered to the user by passing along the first transport path to the slot for the user.

In some exemplary embodiments, data can be collected and stored, which is beneficial for use in identifying individual users who have entered and / or received specific paper sheets from the machine. This may enable the machine to determine, for example, the source or location of suspicious papers.

Alternatively or additionally, exemplary embodiments may limit the issuance of documents, such as checks, money orders or cash, from a machine to specific individuals in order to reduce the risk of money laundering or other illegal or fraudulent activity. Other exemplary embodiments may include other or additional features.

In some exemplary embodiments, documents placed in a machine are evaluated for accuracy by operation of the machine. Documents rated as valid are stored in the machine at appropriate storage locations. In some embodiments, such documents may later be issued to users of the machine during transactions that include the issuance of such documents. The deposited documents, which are judged to be inaccurate, in some embodiments, may be permanently marked on the machine with a marking device. A permanent label may correspond to at least a portion of an indicator associated with a particular transaction during which an invalid (invalid) document was deposited. Such indicators may include, for example, transaction number, account number, user code, identification information corresponding to a person’s biometric feature, depositing a document, or other usable identification information or a combination thereof. Such indicators may, in some embodiments, be human-readable, machine-readable, or readable by both methods. In some exemplary embodiments, such inaccurate documents that are permanently marked may be stored in a machine for later retrieval and delivery to appropriate authorized entities. Such delivery may be accompanied by information regarding the transaction or the user responsible for submitting each false document.

In some exemplary embodiments, documents judged to be of dubious validity, but which are most likely reliable, can also be received in a machine. In some such embodiments, documents identified as having dubious reliability may be marked with a marking device that provides a deletable mark on the document. The tag to be deleted may include at least a portion of the indicator associated with the transaction or transaction data. The tag to be deleted can likewise be machine readable, human readable, or both simultaneously.

In some exemplary embodiments, the implementation of such a marked document, because it has been determined to be likely reliable, can be accepted and stored in the machine, and a preliminary loan can be provided for the deposit to deposit the document.

In some exemplary embodiments, such dubious documents may be retained for later removal from the machine. After such deletion, the documents can be subjected to an assessment operation to determine whether the document is actually reliable. Such an assessment operation may be carried out manually, by operation of the machine, or both. In an exemplary embodiment, the deletion mark does not prevent the document from being evaluated for validity and remains on the document during the evaluation operation. If it is determined by a valuation operation that the document is reliable, the tag to be deleted can be deleted from the document, and this document is either returned to circulation or otherwise processed accordingly. In an exemplary embodiment, if it is determined that the document is unreliable, an indicator is used to determine the entity responsible for entering the document. If a loan was previously provided for depositing a document, the user who received the loan is notified and the loan is canceled. In some exemplary embodiments, the labeled document may be held and delivered to the appropriate authorities along with transaction information for research purposes.

It should be understood that the embodiments described herein are exemplary and many other embodiments are encompassed by the scope of the claimed invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 depicts a front view of an exemplary automated banking machine, including some features of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a left view of the automated banking machine shown in figure 1.

Figure 3 is a schematic cross section of an automated banking machine shown in figure 1.

4 is a schematic side view of a first transportation path and a second transportation path in an automated banking machine.

5 is a cross section of a means of transportation used in an automated banking machine.

6 is a schematic side view of a paper sheet moving from a second transportation path to a first transportation path through an intersection.

Fig.7 depicts a view similar to Fig.6, with a paper sheet moving in the first transportation path from the intersection.

Fig. 8 schematically depicts a view similar to Fig. 7, with a paper sheet moving in the opposite direction through an intersection.

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 with a paper sheet held in a holding device.

Figure 10 depicts a view similar to Figure 9, with a paper sheet moving in intersection and folding with a second paper sheet delivered through a second transportation path, the second paper sheet folding with alignment with the first paper sheet, forming a stack.

11 schematically depicts a view similar to FIG. 10, in which a pair of paper sheets located in a stack has passed through an intersection.

12 is a view similar to FIG. 11 in which stacked paper sheets are held in a holding device.

13 is a view of a first and second transportation path with a paper sheet guiding device separating the first paper sheet from the stack when the stack passes through an intersection.

Fig. 14 is a view similar to Fig. 13 showing a paper sheet detached from the stack when the stack passes through an intersection.

FIG. 15 is a view of a first and second transportation paths showing a paper sheet reoriented by a paper flipping device. FIG.

16 is a view showing a paper sheet passing through a second intersection between a first transportation path and a third transportation path.

Fig is a view of the first and second transportation routes with deposited envelope passing through them.

Fig. 18 is a view showing the first, second, and third transportation paths with a paper sheet moving from the holding device to the third transportation path.

Fig. 19 is a view of an alternative embodiment of the first, second, and third transportation paths with additional retention devices in the first transportation path.

FIG. 20 is a view showing the first, second, and third transportation paths with a paper sheet moving from the second transportation path to the first transportation path, and schematically showing how a paper sheet guiding device is used as part of a paper turning apparatus.

Fig. 21 is a view of an alternative embodiment of the first, second, and third transportation paths used in an alternative automated banking machine, in which two user interfaces and two slots are available for the user.

Fig.22 depicts a side view of an automated banking machine containing a transportation device, schematically shown in Fig.21.

23 is a schematic view showing a paper sheet detached from or added to the stack when the stack passes through an intersection.

24 is a view showing an exemplary system in which suspicious and / or false documents deposited in an automated banking machine are processed.

The best modes of carrying out the invention

In the drawings, and especially in FIG. 1, an automated banking machine is depicted, generally indicated at 10. Machine 10 is an ATM (automated banking machine, BA). However, in other embodiments, there may be other types of automated banking machines. BA 10 includes a user interface or customer interface, generally indicated at 12. Customer interface 12 includes a touch screen 14. Touch screen 14 is a known type that also serves as a data input device and an output device. The touch screen provides data output through on-screen displays and enables customers to enter data by placing a finger near areas of the screen.

The customer interface 12 further includes an auxiliary keyboard 16. The auxiliary keyboard 16 includes a plurality of buttons that can be operated by the customer to allow data to be input into the machine. The customer interface 12 also includes a slot 18 of the card reader. Card slot 18 is used to enter a card with data encoded on it, which is used to identify the customer and / or customer account information. The card slot 18 is connected to a conventional type card reader for reading data encoded on the card. Other exemplary embodiments may include types of data input devices other than the type of card reader and / or keypad. Some embodiments may include data input devices, such as biometric data readers, which can function to receive input identifying the customer, such as fingerprints, iris scans, retinal scans, facial topography data, voice information, or other input data that provide usable data to identify the user. An example of a BA that uses biometric data input devices and other types of data input devices is disclosed in US Pat. No. 6,023,688, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The customer interface 12 further includes a slot 20. The slot 20, as explained below, is used to receive a stack of paper sheets or documents from a customer working with the machine 10. The slot 20 is also used to deliver a stack of documents to customers using the machine. Although the slit 20 is shown in FIG. 1 as open, it should be understood that in other embodiments, it may be selectively closed by a movable door or similar closure structure. It should be understood that these features of the described BA user interface are exemplary, and in other embodiments, the user interface may include excellent components and / or features.

As shown in FIG. 2, machine 10 typically has a split body structure that includes a container portion 22. The container portion 22 in the exemplary embodiment is preferably a secure container and is used for storing valuable objects, such as cash or deposits. The container portion 22 has a door 24 that can be selectively opened to gain access to the interior of the container portion. The door 24 preferably includes a combination lock or other locking mechanism (not shown) that prevents the container portion from being opened by unauthorized persons.

Machine 10 also includes an upper portion 26 of the housing. The upper part of the housing has interface components 12 of the customer. The customer interface portion 12 includes a panel 28. The panel 28 is preferably mounted movably on the upper part of the housing 26 and can optionally be opened to gain access to components located in the upper part of the housing. A locking mechanism (not shown) is preferably integrated in the upper part of the housing in an exemplary embodiment to prevent unauthorized persons from gaining access to its internal area.

As shown in FIG. 3, machine 10 includes a plurality of devices for performing banking transactions. It should be understood that the devices described below are exemplary and that additional or excellent devices may be included in other embodiments of the invention.

The inner region of BA 10 is schematically shown in FIG. An exemplary BA includes devices for processing paper sheets, such as banknotes, and other documents. BA 10 includes paper sheet dispensers, document generation devices, and paper sheet reception devices. Among the paper sheet dispensing devices, there are cash dispensing devices 30 and 32. Cash dispensers 30 and 32 may be of the type disclosed in US Pat. No. 4,494,747, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein, which selectively issue paper sheets one at a time in response to control signals. Cash dispensers 30 and 32 may include removable paper sheet storage containers or boxes that include identification information printed thereon. Boxes may be interchangeable and have the type disclosed in US patent No. 4871085, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The identification information on boxes storing paper sheets can indicate the type and / or properties of the paper sheets stored in them (for example, the type and name of the currency), and this identification information is read by the reader when the box is installed in the machine.

An example BA can perform operations in response to identification information on the boxes to adjust the operation of the cash dispensing devices to match the contents of the box and position. In an exemplary embodiment, paper sheet boxes and other devices may include identification information of the type disclosed in US Pat. No. 4,871,085. The information represented by the identification information is read by the reader and the resulting signals are transmitted to the machine control circuit. The control circuitry corrects the operation of the paper sheet issuing and receiving devices in response to the signals in accordance with the type and nature of the paper sheets stored in various boxes.

In an exemplary embodiment of the machine 10 shown in FIG. 3, the machine preferably includes a banknote processing mechanism including paper sheet receiving and dispensing devices 34, 36 and 38. Examples of paper sheet receiving and dispensing devices may be of the kind disclosed in US Pat. No. 6,331,000, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference. The paper sheet receiving and dispensing devices can receive and store paper sheets in selected compartments, as well as selectively dispensing paper sheets from various compartments. As can be seen from the disclosure included, some of the banknote processing mechanisms can only accept and store banknotes, others can only issue banknotes, and some can both accept and issue banknotes. Other mechanisms may process paper sheets other than banknotes. The machine 10 further includes an envelope store, schematically indicated at 40. The store 40 is a device configured to receive and hold relatively thick paper sheet envelopes deposited by customers in the machine.

The storage 40, cash dispensing devices 30 and 32, and paper sheet receiving and dispensing devices 34, 36 and 38 are all installed in the container portion 22 of machine 10. In an exemplary embodiment, the paper sheet receiving and dispensing device, if not located in the storage, in an exemplary embodiment, may be interchangeably installed in a machine. The control circuit adjusts the operation of the machine accordingly based on the position of the device and the identification information on the boxes or devices.

Each of the cash dispensing devices 30 and 32, the paper sheet receiving and dispensing devices 34, 36 and 38 and the storage 40 are associated with a paper transport path generally indicated at 42. The paper sheet transport path 42 contains a plurality of paper sheet transport means, which are aligned and are in operational (during operation) connection through the rear surface of the container part. The paper sheet transport path 42 may include one or more means of transporting paper sheets of the type disclosed in US Pat. No. 5,240,638, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Each of the vault 40, cash dispensing devices 30 and 32, and paper sheet receiving and dispensing devices 34, 36 and 38 are operatively connected to the paper sheet transporting path 42 and makes it possible to issue paper sheets and / or receive paper sheets from the transport path 42 paper sheets.

The paper sheet transport path 42 passes through a slot (not shown) in the container portion 22 of the container BA. The wire connections that connect the components located in the container part to the components in the upper part 26 of the housing also pass through a slot in the container part and are connected to a control circuit schematically indicated at 44. The control circuit 44 preferably includes at least one processor in an online connection with at least one memory or data storage and is necessary to execute programmed commands based on data stored in memory. The control circuit in an exemplary embodiment uses a machine to perform the actions described below.

The upper part 26 of the housing includes a panel 28 and a slit 20, which is available to the customer. The first transport path, generally indicated by 46, extends inside the machine from the slit 20. The first transport path 46 preferably includes a “bound” conveyor of the type disclosed in US patent No. 5797599, the disclosure of which is incorporated into this description by reference. A vehicle of this type is shown schematically in FIG. 5 and is generally indicated by 48.

The transport means 48 includes a plurality of separated first rollers 50 and a plurality of intermediate separated second rollers 52. The rollers 50 and 52, which are preferably convex rollers, support the rubber bands thereon. The first rollers 50 support the first belts 54, and the second rollers 52 support the second belts 56. The belts 54 and 56 are elongated in length in the transport means 48.

A stack of paper sheets, schematically represented by paper sheet 58 of FIG. 5, moves in a state engaged with the tapes 54 and 56 in the conveyance means, as described in the incorporated patent disclosure. The configuration of the transport means 48 allows the transportation of stacks with a varying number and type of paper sheets, as well as the transportation of bank clearing books and other types of paper sheets stacked in a stack. The transportation means according to an exemplary embodiment is advantageous because of its ability to transport various types of paper sheets having varying thickness and friction properties while reducing deformation.

With reference to FIG. 3, the first transportation path 46 intersects with the transportation path 42 at the first intersection, generally indicated at 60. As explained below, an exemplary embodiment comprises a separation mechanism that separates paper sheets individually from the stack and a stack assembly mechanism assembled documents. In an exemplary embodiment, the paper sheets are selectively stacked and disassembled from the stack when moving through the first intersection 60 to allow processing of the paper sheets in the machine 10.

The upper part 26 of the housing also includes various devices for creating, issuing and / or receiving paper sheets. These dispensing and receiving apparatuses may include dispensing apparatuses or apparatus for receiving or dispensing paper sheets similar to those disclosed in US Pat. No. 4,494,747 or US Pat. No. 6,331,000, and may include removable boxes for storing paper sheets therein. Such replaceable boxes may also include identification information of the type described in US Pat. No. 4,871,085, which is read by a device in a machine. The control circuit may control the operation of the machine in response to identification information.

Devices 62 and 64 may serve as a document forming device and may contain paper sheets such as blank receipts or statements. Alternatively, one of these boxes may store blank documents that need to be filled out, such as forms for receiving documents, payment orders or traveler's checks. Additionally, the paper sheet dispenser 66 may issue documents that must be completed before documents requiring filling, such as bank checks or documents that are issued without further processing, such as a stamp sheet, are issued.

A paper sheet receiving device 68 is also preferably included in the upper part of the housing. The paper sheet receiving device 68 can be used to store paper sheets, such as checks, or other documents that have been entered by the customer into the machine and which have been displayed and / or canceled as a result of processing in the machine.

An exemplary upper case also includes at least one printing device, schematically indicated at 70. The printing device 70 can be used to selectively print on paper sheets under the control of a control circuit. In an exemplary embodiment, an automated banking machine includes marking devices. Such marking devices may include one or more printing devices, such as device 70. Such a marking device may be used to provide removable marking on a document. Such disposable markings may include disposable ink. Such removable ink may be visible or invisible ink. In some embodiments, the marking device may provide a mark that is visible only when exposed to radiation in a certain frequency range. This can be, for example, a marking that becomes visible only when it is exposed to ultraviolet light. Removable markings in some embodiments may include numbers, symbols, patterns or sketches, or any other identifiable information read by a person or machine that matches data or some other feature.

In some alternative embodiments, the implementation of the marking device to provide a removable label on documents in the machine may include a device that applies a removable self-adhesive label. Such a label may be printed or otherwise produced by an appropriate device in the machine, and then applied to documents. Of course, in some embodiments, combinations of different types of marking devices can be implemented to apply different types of markings to documents in a machine. In addition, or alternatively, exemplary embodiments may include a device for permanently marking documents. Such permanent marking may include permanent ink marking, label or other identification information. Such permanent marking may also include a permanent change or damage to the document, for example, punching a slit, shredding, or other process that provides a permanent indication on the document. It should be understood that many marking devices of various types can be provided in various embodiments depending on the actions to be performed by the machine. In addition, other embodiments may include devices for applying permanent or temporary markings other than those described herein.

A display device, schematically indicated at 72, is also included in an exemplary machine. The display device 72 is preferably of a type that allows reading and forming an electronic image of a document, for example, as disclosed in US Pat. No. 5,534,682 or in US Pat. No. 5,923,413, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety. In some embodiments, the display device may perform operations in conjunction with a control circuit to generate signals that are electronic representations of an image of a check or other document. An electronic presentation may include all or selected portions of one or both sides of a paper sheet. For example, in some situations, it may be preferable to display on-screen alphanumeric and / or other characters or features from a check. For example, such data may be analyzed using character recognition software, such as software commercially available from Check Solutions Inc. or other companies to determine the manufacturer, the amount and / or other data suitable for verification in order to receive and / or issue cash on the check.

In some embodiments, printing devices, marking devices, or other devices may also serve as part of a cancellation device. Such a cancellation device may be used to print or otherwise mark receipts or other documents received by the machine. For example, a machine may mark as canceled checks that are accepted and processed by the BA. In some embodiments, the implementation of such checks or documents can be marked through the operation of the cancellation device and then stored in the storage location of the checks in the machine. In other embodiments, the cancellation device, after the document has been displayed, can mark the document to indicate that it has been canceled and return the canceled document to the user of the machine. In some embodiments, one or more such canceled documents may be stacked in the manner described below when returned to the user. Canceled documents can also be returned in a collected pile along with other documents, such as transaction receipts and / or banknotes issued by BA as a result of receipt of cash by check. In some embodiments, canceled checks may be shredded, pressed, or otherwise marked to avoid any fraudulent use. The control circuit may also perform operations to store data corresponding to the check and identification information of the user of the BA entering the check into the machine in one or more data stores in order to save the record. For example, a data warehouse may store data corresponding to a check, together with data that corresponds to an account number, biometric data, photographs, or other user data suitable for use in identifying a user. Of course, these approaches are given as examples and other approaches may be used.

In some embodiments, the control circuit may perform operations to verify the user's identity before dispensing cash on one or more checks. A control scheme may also be programmed to limit the risk of cash receipt by check by unauthorized persons and / or to reduce the risk of money laundering. For example, before dispensing cash on a check, the control circuit may perform operations to compare data corresponding to symbols identifying the bearer of the check indicated on the check with other input data corresponding to the user of the machine and / or with symbols on the check containing confirmation. If the bearer of the check, the user and / or confirmation data do not match, the control circuit may perform operations so that the check is not accepted or paid. Additionally, the control circuit may perform operations so as to determine the amount and / or nature of the check that a particular user has submitted to the BA and / or in a previous period of time. A BA may also communicate with other computers on the network to determine the amount and / or nature of checks presented by a user to other BAs. If a user check representing assets goes beyond some set programmed parameters, so that user actions may indicate theft of checks or money laundering, then, for example, a BA may refuse a transaction.

Alternatively and / or in addition, the user presenting the check may be requested by the control circuitry to provide input of at least one biometric information. This can be done even in circumstances where the user can be identified by data on the card or in another way. Biometric identification data can be compared with stored data and used to evaluate the actions of this particular user to receive cash by check. A control circuit or a remote computer can determine whether the actions go beyond the set parameters so that the current transaction is suspicious and not allowed. Thus, a user who has multiple cards and / or multiple identities may be prohibited from conducting transactions that may be suspicious of money laundering or theft. Of course, some embodiments may also perform operations to combine verification of biometric data with data on a debit or credit card or other element or other device presented by the user in the BA to provide a greater guarantee regarding the user's identification information. Of course, in other embodiments, other approaches may be used.

Exemplary processing devices 62, 64, and 66, as well as a paper sheet receiving device 68 in the BA, are all connected to one or more transportation means. These means of transportation may be of the type disclosed in US patent No. 5342165, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference, or other suitable device for transporting paper sheets. The paper sheet transport devices form a paper sheet transport path 74. The paper sheet transport path 74 extends to the transport path 46 and meets the transport path 46 at the second intersection 76.

The upper part of the housing may also include additional or other devices. Such devices may include a journal (report) printer, as schematically indicated by circles 78. A journal printer is used to create a paper report (record) of transactions carried out in machine 10. Electronic journals can also be created by a control circuit and stored in memory. Other devices that may be included in the machine are other types of document generation devices, audio output devices, customer sensors, cameras and recorders, biometric sensors and other devices suitable for use in a particular type of automated banking machine.

The transportation routes 42, 46 and 74 of the exemplary machine are shown in more detail in FIG. 4. Although the means of transportation and their operation are described in detail, it should be clear that they are just an example of devices that can be used, and the claimed invention is not limited to them.

A transport path 46, which includes one or more "bound" conveyor means of transport, is shown in FIG. The transport path has a plurality of first belts 80 that extend between the first rollers 82 and 84. The first rollers 82 and 84 are selectively controlled by a reversible drive, schematically indicated at 86.

The second belts 88 extend between the second roller 90 and the rollers 92, 94 and 96. The second belts 88 are controlled by a second reversing drive, indicated at 98 in the diagram. As shown in FIG. 4, the roller 96 is selectively movable for the purposes explained below. Of course, it should be understood that the tapes and rollers shown in the first transportation path 46 are in fact a plurality of separate tapes and rollers of the type shown in FIG.

The first transportation path 46 further includes an additional transport section 100. The transport section 100 is similar to the transportation means shown in FIG. 5 and includes a plurality of third belts 102 worn on divided rollers 104 and 106.

The rollers 106 are positioned adjacent to the plurality of holding rollers (rollers) 108. The axes of the rollers 108 occupy an intermediate spatially separate position with respect to the third ribbons 102. This configuration transmits the wave configuration to the paper sheets and stacks of paper sheets in a manner comparable to the method attached to the paper sheets by means 48 transportation shown in Fig.5. The holding rollers 108 and the transport section 100 are independently controlled by a reversible drive (not shown) under the control of the control circuit 44.

Next to the first intersection 60, where the paper sheet path 42 meets the paper sheet path 46, is a paper sheet guiding device generally indicated at 110. The paper sheet guiding device 110 includes paper sheet pickup rollers 112 and additional rollers 114. Rollers 112 and 114 have elastic (rubber) tapes 116 fixed to them. It should be understood that the rollers 112 and 114 are driven by one or more independent reversible drives (not shown) under control of the control circuit 44. Should It will be appreciated that the rollers 112 and 114 and the tapes 116 of FIG. 4 represent a plurality of such tapes and rollers which are preferably located in an intermediate position between the lower spans of the first tapes 80.

Transport path 42 further includes transport means 118, which is adjacent to storage 40. Transport means 118 includes a plurality of rollers that drive belts 120 in response to reverse drive operations (not shown). The rollers 122, which are covered by tapes 120, as well as the rollers 124, which are independently controlled by one or more reversible drives (not shown), are mounted on the paper path 42 in a contiguous manner with the rollers 114 and 96. The purpose of this design is described in more detail below.

As shown schematically in FIG. 4, the transportation path 46 includes sensors. These sensors are operatively connected to the control circuit 44 and are designed to read the features of paper sheets and stacks of paper sheets along the way of transporting paper sheet. The thickness gauge, indicated at 126 in the diagram, is preferably provided for sensing the thickness of paper sheets, a stack of paper sheets or paper sheets similar to deposited envelopes that move along the transport path 46. The identification information reading devices 128 and 130 are preferably designed to read identification information on paper sheets and envelopes moving along the transportation path. Sensors may include photoreflective devices, magnetic sensors, or other appropriate devices for distinguishing features of banknotes, various types of transferable documents, and / or deposited envelopes. For example, in some embodiments, the sensors, in combination with a control circuit or other circuit in a machine, may constitute a validation device or an evaluation device for evaluating the validity of banknotes or other documents. An example of such a device is disclosed in US patent No. 5923413, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

In some embodiments, a validation or evaluation device may additionally or alternatively be used to identify individual banknotes. For example, a validation device can obtain, through algorithms, one or more distinctive values that are generally uniquely associated with a particular banknote. In addition or alternatively, the validator may include character recognition capabilities that determine serial numbers or other unique characters associated with specific banknotes. This may enable some embodiments of the machine to store in a related manner in at least one data store that data that uniquely identifies banknotes entered in the BA and the particular user who entered the banknote into the machine. This can enable the BA to identify a specific suspicious banknote and record information regarding the user who entered it into the machine. The specific type, position and capabilities of sensors and / or validation devices used in a particular machine will depend on the characteristics and types of documents that are intended to be processed by the machine.

In some exemplary embodiments, the evaluator may perform operations in the manner described herein to evaluate the veracity of documents, such as banknotes deposited in a machine. In response to evaluating the banknote as credible, the machine can perform operations in accordance with the program of the control circuitry in order to maintain a valid banknote at an appropriate location within the machine. In some exemplary embodiments, this location may be in a storage location where the banknote can be stored and from which the banknote can subsequently be taken for delivery to the user of the machine during a transaction that requires such a banknote. This could be, for example, cash dispensing to a subsequent user of the machine, who requested cash dispensing as part of a transaction. This occurs after the user transaction, which led to the fact that the banknote was deposited in the machine.

In some example embodiments, a document may be identified as invalid. This conclusion can be based on the fact that the document has the properties of a known fake banknote. The control circuit of the machine may be programmed to identify such banknotes. In these circumstances, exemplary embodiments may be programmed to mark an invalid note with one or more of the marking devices. In some example embodiments, the marking provided by the marking device may be a permanent mark or a removable mark. In some exemplary embodiments, the label may include at least a portion of the indicator that is associated with the transaction. This indicator may include a transaction number that is unique to a particular transaction during which an invalid document was deposited. Alternatively or in addition, the indicator may be identification information associated with the user account (s) of the machine on whose behalf an inaccurate document was presented. Alternatively or in addition, the banknote may be marked with identification information corresponding to a biometric identifier associated with the specific user who deposited the document. Of course, combinations of such markings may be used. Additionally, such markings may be presented in whole or in part in machine-readable form, such as a bar code. In addition or alternatively, such markings may include visible and / or invisible ink, labeling or other marking to identify an invalid document and compare it with information that allows you to trace or determine the source and / or circumstances relating to the deposit of the document in a car.

In an exemplary embodiment, invalid documents are stored at a first storage location in a machine for later deletion and examination. Also in an exemplary embodiment, information regarding the indicator or other documentation may be stored in a data store in the machine and / or transmitted to one or more remote computers on the network. Such information can be used to notify the object responsible for the operation of the machine, such as a bank, the object responsible for the customer and / or the account (account) to which an attempt was made to deposit an invalid document, and / or the relevant authorized organizations who are responsible for resolving issues related to fake banknotes or other false documents. In alternative embodiments, a document identified as invalid may be permanently marked to make it clearly unsuitable for subsequent passage and then returned to the user.

In some exemplary embodiments, documents that are evaluated by a machine can be rated as probably reliable, but of such dubious reliability that the rating device cannot provide a guarantee of the authenticity of the document. In an exemplary embodiment, when a document is determined to be of dubious reliability, the control circuit uses an automated banking machine to mark the document with a deleted mark. This tag to be deleted may include an indicator associated with the transaction, user, or other circumstances, as described above. The tag to be removed may contain visible or invisible markings, including markings with ink or other substances that are visible only when exposed to radiation in a certain frequency range. Such marking may also or alternatively include machine-readable identification information, information corresponding to a user's biometric property, or other data that may be correlated with a transaction, account, or user. In some exemplary embodiments, the removal of the marking may include water-soluble ink or other substance that can be relatively easily removed with appropriate detergents when it is ultimately determined that the banknote is valid. In addition or alternatively, the removable marking device may use a removable label or other indicator that may be applied in a semi-permanent manner, but removed as necessary if it is subsequently determined that the deposited document is reliable.

In some exemplary embodiments, the automated banking machine, upon receipt of a document of doubtful certainty, can perform operations with remote computers to provide the user of the account or the person on whose behalf the document was submitted with a loan for the deposited document. In such exemplary embodiments, the credit may be subject to confirmation or cancellation after additional evaluation of the document of reliability at the time of the subsequent evaluation operation, as described below.

First, various paper sheet processing and management operations performed by the exemplary automated banking machine according to the described embodiment are described in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 6-21.

6 depicts a paper sheet 132 moving through an intersection 60 of a first paper sheet path 46 and a paper sheet path 42. The paper sheet 132, before reaching the position shown in FIG. 6, can be dispensed by one of the paper sheet dispensing devices adjacent to the transportation path 42 and moved in the vicinity of the intersection using one or more transport means that form the transportation path . When the paper sheet 132 reaches the intersection, it is gripped by the tapes 116 of the paper sheet guiding device 110 as well as the tapes 88. The control circuit drives the drives that move the tapes to work together to move the paper sheet to the intersection. As soon as the paper sheet passes through the intersection, it is caught between the lower spans of the tape 80 and the upper spans of the tapes 88, and the paper sheet 132 moves in the first direction, indicated by arrow A in FIG. 6. As can be seen from Figure 4, arrow A is directed towards the user of the slit 20 of the automated banking machine.

As shown in FIG. 7, in the described mode of operation, the structures act as a stack assembly mechanism. As soon as the paper sheet 132 is completely moved through the intersection in the first transportation path 46, the movement of the paper sheet in the first direction stops. This is provided by the control circuit 44, which drives the means of transportation in accordance with the logic of its program stored in memory, and in response to the data entered by the customer in the customer interface. The sensor, indicated by 134 in the diagram, mounted in the first path of the paper sheet, senses the position of the paper sheet. Sensor 134 is operatively connected to a control circuit. The sensor 134 may relate to one of several types of sensors suitable for sensing the position of paper sheets, such as a photo-reflective sensor. As soon as the paper sheet 132 is in the position shown in FIG. 7, the tapes 80 and 88 are stopped.

As shown in FIG. 8, the control circuit now uses the components of the machine to move the paper sheet 132 in the second opposite direction, as indicated by arrow B. To move the paper sheet 132 through the intersection in the opposite direction, the pickup rollers 112 of the paper sheet and tape 116 rotate so to prevent the paper sheet 132 from passing along the second paper sheet transport path 42. The conveying section 100 is also used by the control circuit to grab the paper sheet 132 and move it in the opposite direction. The paper sheet flipping member 136, described in more detail below, is moved so as to allow the paper sheet 132 to pass the roll 82 in the first path of the paper sheet.

As shown in FIG. 9, the paper sheet 132 is moved in the second direction until it is caught between the holding rollers 108 and the conveying section 100. The sensor, which is schematically indicated by 138, is mounted to receive this paper sheet 132 when it is located in a holding device provided with a combination of holding rollers 108 and a conveying section 100. The sensor 138 is operatively connected to a control circuit that performs operations to stop the further advancement of the paper sheet 132 in the second direction when it reaches the indicated position. It should be noted that the paper sheet 132 at this position is held adjacent to the second intersection 76, which is the intersection of the paper sheet path 74 and the paper sheet path 46.

The next step in the operation of an exemplary stack assembly mechanism is shown in FIG. 10. An additional paper sheet 140 is fed into the transportation path 42 to the intersection 60. The paper sheet 140 can be issued by one of the devices: a paper sheet dispenser, a paper sheet creation device, or otherwise filed in the way and moved to the intersection. When the paper sheet 140 moves to the position adjacent to the intersection, it is captured by the tapes 116 of the paper sheet guiding device 110, as well as the tapes 88. The paper sheet 140 is also sensed by the sensor 142 in the transport path 42. The sensor 142 is operatively connected to the control circuit. The control circuit operates to precisely coordinate the movement of the paper sheet 140 in conjunction with the paper sheet guiding device 110 and the tape 88.

When the paper sheet 140 moves to the intersection 60, the control circuit starts to move the paper sheet 132 in the first direction along the intersection path 46. The control circuit coordinates the operation of the drives for the various components so that the paper sheet 140 and the paper sheet 132 pass through intersection 60 in a coordinated manner. As a result, the paper sheets 132 and 140 are gripped in a aligned touching position to form a stack as they move through intersection 60.

As shown in FIG. 11, as soon as the paper sheets 140 and 132 have passed the intersection 60 in the first direction, they are in the stack, generally indicated by 144. As schematically indicated in FIG. 11, in this mode of operation, the sensor 144 is designed to perceive the passage stacks through the intersection, and the control circuit is designed to stop the stack in the first direction in response to signals from the sensor. After the paper sheets 132 and 140 are combined to form a stack 144, additional paper sheets can be added to the stack. This is accomplished by moving the stack 144 in the second direction in the same way as with the paper sheet 132, as described above with reference to FIG. The stack 144 is moved to the position shown in FIG. 12, in which it is held by a holding device formed by the holding rollers 108 and the conveying section 100. Thereafter, additional paper sheets can be added to the stack by passing the paper sheets onto the transport path 42 and capturing such paper sheets in an aligned relationship with the stack in a manner similar to that shown in FIG. 10.

It should be noted that a stack containing a significant number of generally aligned and contiguous paper sheets can be formed in the manner described. Since paper sheets are selectively delivered from dispensers and / or paper sheet creation devices adjacent to the conveyance path 42, the paper sheets can be stacked in the desired order as determined by the control circuit. For example, paper sheets, which are banknotes, can be stacked from the highest to the lowest or vice versa. Specific paper sheets can be placed within the stack at the desired position. Once the stack is assembled in the required manner by the machine control circuit, it can be moved to the first transportation path 46 to the slot 20, so that it can be received by the customer.

It should also be noted that at position 144 of the stack shown in FIG. 12, the stack is installed in a holding device formed by holding rollers 108 and a transport section 100 adjacent to intersection 76. Intersection 76 is the intersection of transport path 46 and transport path 74. Path transportation 74 leads to devices located in the upper part of the housing 26 of the machine 10.

As shown schematically in FIG. 16, the paper sheet 146 can be moved from one of the devices adjacent to the paper sheet path 74 to connect to the stack 144 at intersection 76 when the stack moves in the first direction. This allows you to add paper sheets to the stack, which are in the device issuing paper sheets and / or devices for creating a document adjacent to the path 74 of the paper sheet. The stack formed by adding paper sheets from the paper sheet path 74 can be moved along the paper sheet path 46 to the customer.

It should be understood that the paper sheets from the paper sheet path 74 can be delivered individually through intersection 76 to the paper sheet path 46 and can then be added to the stack formed at the intersection 60 in a manner similar to that described above. It should also be understood that the path 74 of the paper sheet includes appropriate sensors that are operatively associated with the control circuit. The control scheme works so that the paper sheets from the paper sheet path 74 can be added to the stack in contact with the other paper sheets in the stack when the paper sheets have passed through intersection 76. As a result, the coupled structures work as a mechanism for further assembling the stack.

As shown in FIG. 15, an exemplary machine 10 further includes the ability to take paper sheets in the first path of the paper sheet and turn them over using the flip device. This can be done as shown in FIG. 15 using the paper sheet flipping member 136. An exemplary paper sheet flip element 136 comprises an element including arcuate guides or teeth corresponding to the contour of the rollers 82. When the flip element is adjacent to the rollers 82, as in FIG. 15, the moving paper sheet 148 is forcibly flipped from the position of the paper sheet to first way 46 paper sheet. This is accomplished by moving the paper sheet 148 in the direction of arrow C in FIG. In an exemplary embodiment, the upper tape spans of the tape 80 are part of the path of the paper sheet, generally indicated at 150.

The paper sheet path 150 passes in the vicinity of the printing apparatus 70 and the display device 72 shown in FIG. As a result, the paper sheet can be selectively moved to the paper sheet path 150 to print or mark it, for example with a marking or nulling device, to create an image on the screen of the paper sheet with a display device or both. Of course, other or different functions can be performed, including device operations for creating a permanent mark or a deleted mark on documents.

When marking, printing, or displaying operations are performed on the paper sheet in the paper sheet path 150, the paper sheet may be returned to the first paper sheet path 46. Once the paper sheet 148 is returned to the first path of the paper sheet, it can be selectively moved to one of the other paper sheet paths 42 or 74. From these paths of the paper sheet, it can be directed and stored in an appropriate storage device or location of the paper sheet in the machine. Alternatively, the paper sheet 148 may be selectively moved to stack with other paper sheets at intersections 60 or 76. This may, in some embodiments, provide for the issuance of canceled checks to the user. Such canceled checks can be delivered in a pile with other checks, receipts, banknotes or other documents.

In some embodiments, paper sheet flipping elements 136 can be configured so that paper sheets in the transport path 150 can be directly added to the stack of paper sheets at the intersection of the paper sheet path 46 and the flipping device. This is done by configuring or moving the flip element so that the teeth in the lower position do not collide when passing the flip element of the stack of paper sheets in the first direction. This feature provides yet another stack assembly mechanism and can be particularly advantageous when the customer prints a receipt on a paper sheet in the path 150 of the paper sheet, and it is desirable to have a receipt at the top of the stack. This can be achieved by installing the stack in the holding device formed by the holding rollers 108 and the transporting and moving section 100 of the stack in the first direction to the right in FIG. 15, when the printed receipt on the paper sheet is gripped in alignment with the top of the stack when the stack moves to the slot twenty.

It should be understood that in other embodiments, paper sheets from paths 74 and 42, as well as from path 150, can all be added to the stack when the stack is moved from the holding device formed by the conveying section 100 and holding rollers 108 in the first direction to the customer . This can be easily seen from the schematic diagram shown in FIG. 16 with the stack 144 moving to the right, as shown, and paper sheets added to the stack when the stack passes rollers 82, and again when the stack moves through intersection 60. As should be it is clear to specialists in this field of technology, many configurations and operations of the system can be provided depending on the functions performed by the machine, as well as on the programming and configuration of the control circuit.

It should be understood that other paper sheet flipping devices, other than or in addition to the flip element 136, may be provided in other embodiments. For example, in FIG. 18, the guide member 152 is shown in relation to the roller 108. The guide member 152 selectively moves between the shown position in which it is adjacent to the roller 108 and the position shown by the dotted line. As shown in FIG. 18, when the guide member 152 is in the position shown, it serves to guide the paper sheet 154 that is held in the holding device formed by the conveying section 110 and the holding rollers 108 into the transport path 74. The paper sheet 154 can be moved to a transportation path 74 to the paper sheet holding device for storing it there in the manner described above.

Alternatively, the flipping of the paper sheet 154 can be accomplished by moving it to the transport path 174 and then positioning the guide member 152 away from the roller 108. Once this is done, the paper sheet 154 can again be sent to the path 146 and moved to the right, as shown in FIG. .18, so that the paper sheet 154 moves in a manner comparable to that of the paper sheet 146 shown in FIG. This will cause the paper sheet 154 to be inverted in the path 46 of the paper sheet compared to its original orientation.

Components adjacent to intersection 60 can also be used as a paper sheet flipping device. This is shown schematically in FIG. This is done by the fact that the paper sheet 156 is initially installed in the first path of the paper sheet similarly to the paper sheet 132 in FIG. 7. The paper sheet is then moved to the second path of the paper sheet at the intersection 60 using the paper sheet guiding device 110 in a manner which is described in more detail below. When the paper sheet 156 is in the second path of the paper sheet, the direction of the tapes 88 and 116 is completely reversed, while the lower spans of the tape 80 are moved so as to move the paper sheet in the second direction, indicated by arrow B. This causes the paper the sheet turns over from its original orientation during transportation.

It should also be understood that paper sheets that enter the transportation path 42 can also be guided by the method shown in FIG. This feature allows the ability to selectively position paper sheets and turn them over using a number of different mechanisms. This extends the capabilities of an example of an automated banking machine.

A further useful aspect of an exemplary embodiment is that which includes a separation mechanism for separating paper sheets from the stack, as shown schematically in FIGS. 13 and 14. The exemplary embodiment shown includes the ability to selectively separate the paper sheet from the stack of paper sheets when the stack passes through the intersection 60 of the transport path 46 and the transport path 42. As shown schematically in FIG. 13, the stack of paper sheets 158 moves in the direction indicated by arrows oh B in transport path 46. Although stack 158 is shown as a stack of four paper sheets will be understood that the stack may comprise a greater or lesser number of paper sheets. The stack 158 may be a stack of paper sheets received from a machine user through a slot 20, and may consist of various types of paper sheets. For example, in some embodiments, stacks adopted in a machine may include stacks of a mixture of banknotes, checks, and / or other types of paper sheets.

When the stack 158 moves to intersection 60, the machine control circuit uses a paper sheet guiding device 110 so that the rollers 112 and 114 and the belts 116 worn on them move relative to the stack in the opposite direction to the stack. As a result of this movement, by means of the paper sheet guiding device, the first paper sheet 160, which bounds the first side of the stack, is gripped by friction with the bands 116 and is removed and separated from the stack. The first paper sheet 160 is sent to the paper sheet path 42 when the stack that contains the remaining paper sheets continues to move along the path 46. This makes it possible to process the paper sheet 160 separately by devices adjacent to the path 42, or later return individually to path 46 for individual transportation to devices adjacent to other routes.

It should be noted that the mechanisms that process paper sheets as being in a stack and not in a stack described in an exemplary embodiment are merely examples of document processing devices such as banknotes, checks or other paper sheets in an automated banking machine. In other embodiments, other paper sheet processing and transportation mechanisms may be used.

It should be noted that in an exemplary embodiment, the sensor 162 is adjacent to the path 42. The sensor 162 may be a photoelectric sensor associated with a control circuit for sensing the position of the paper sheet. Alternatively, the sensor 162 may comprise a plurality of similar or different sensors adapted to perceive the features of the paper sheet. The sensor 162 may be part of a device for verifying or evaluating receipts as described above, which is suitable for determining the type and value of a banknote. This enables the control circuitry to properly identify the paper sheet of the banknote and place it in a predetermined banknote processing mechanism, storage location or other device for receiving paper sheets. Sensors 162 can alternatively work in conjunction with a control circuit or other circuit to provide a validation mechanism or check evaluation apparatus to determine or evaluate the authenticity of a paper sheet. In other embodiments, other features, such as magnetic ink identification, bar coding, and other features, may be additionally or alternatively detected by one or more sensors to identify the type, nature and / or properties of the paper sheet as it moves near the sensors .

As mentioned above, in some embodiments, a check validation device can identify specific paper sheets, for example, by serial number or other characteristics. In some embodiments, such information may be stored for suspicious banknotes and in other cases for all or some of the selected banknote categories. Such data regarding individual banknotes can be stored in a data warehouse in relation to information suitable for use in order to determine the identification information of the user who entered the banknote into the machine. Other data can also be stored, such as, for example, the storage location or the place where banknotes are stored in the machine, or other information that can be used to restore a particular banknote and / or to document the transaction.

In some embodiments, a machine may store banknote identification information for comparison with banknotes entered into a machine. This may include, in some embodiments, information corresponding to properties, characteristics, or numbers associated with known counterfeit or invalid banknotes. Such information used for comparison may also include identification data for individual banknotes already deposited in the machine. Thus, for example, if a banknote entered into the machine is individually identified by determining the serial number, this serial number can be compared by a control circuit with stored data regarding the serial numbers of known counterfeits. Alternatively, or in addition, the serial number of the banknote entered in the BA can be compared with the serial numbers for banknotes previously deposited or entered into the machine. In case of coincidence in any of the cases, the control scheme will act in response to an obvious suspicious banknote in accordance with its program. It may include fixing and saving a suspicious banknote, marking a banknote, fixing additional data about the user who submitted the suspicious banknote, notifying the authorized organization, or other action.

In embodiments, when the identification data for all banknotes is fixed and used for comparison, the control circuit may perform operations to indicate when the banknote was issued from the machine. This may include, for example, deleting information regarding a banknote, such as its serial number, from the data store upon deletion. Alternatively, such an indication may include storing information indicating that a particular banknote has been issued. Information regarding the issued banknote may, in some embodiments, be stored in a related relationship with information that does not identify the user who received the banknote from the machine. Of course, in other embodiments, other approaches and approaches described in relation to banknotes can be used, can also be applied to other types of documents.

Returning to the description of the operation of the separation mechanism, after the paper sheet 160 is separated from the stack 158, as shown in FIG. 14, the control circuit can use the transport means in the first path 46 to move the remaining stack to the position to the right of the intersection 60. If necessary, separate additional paper sheet from the stack, the remaining paper sheets can be moved through the intersection again in the direction of arrow D to separate the paper sheet that re-limits the side of the stack. Alternatively, if the control circuit determines that it is not necessary to separate the next paper sheet from the stack, the paper sheet guiding device may be used so that the belts 116 and rollers 112 and 114 move in the same direction as the rollers 92 and at the same speed. This will cause the stack to go through the intersection without separating the paper sheet from the stack.

It should be understood that, while in the shown embodiment, the paper sheet guiding device comprises a plurality of rollers having rubber (elastic) surfaces on them that move at a relative speed that is less than the speed of the stack, in other embodiments, other types of removal and separation devices. These may include, for example, rubber pads or rollers. Such devices may also include mechanisms such as resilient suction funnels or vacuum generation devices. Additional alternative forms of paper sheet guiding device may include other physical elements that selectively pick one or more paper sheets to direct them from path 46 to another path 42.

It should also be noted that in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 13, 14 and 23, the paper sheets can be separated from the stack when the stack moves from right to left. However, in other embodiments, it may be desirable to provide a paper sheet guiding device so that the paper sheets can be separated from the stack when the stack moves in any direction. This can be easily accomplished by using rubber rollers or other removal devices or elements that can be selectively actuated to pick up and separate the paper sheet after the stack has passed through the intersection. This design may have advantages in other embodiments where a high speed is desired when peeling off the paper sheet.

As can be seen from the preceding description, in some banking machines it may be desirable to process some paper sheets individually. For example, if it is determined that the paper sheet separated from the stack is a check or other transferable document to be moved to the display device, or an invalid banknote or a banknote of doubtful authenticity to be transported to the marking device, it may be desirable to clear the path that makes it possible to transport a paper sheet requiring such processing individually. This can be done by arranging a stack of paper sheets that are not currently processed separately, remotely from a single paper sheet in the first path 46. Thus, a paper sheet requiring individual processing can be moved to path 150 or some other arrangement, which may be necessary without subjecting the remaining stack to an undesired location.

A further alternative to facilitate processing individually of specific paper sheets is represented by the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 19. In this embodiment, path 46 includes three separately controlled transport sections 164, 166 and 168. The conveyance section 164 is similar to the conveyance described above, except that its tapes end on the rollers 170 and 172. The conveyance section 166 may include a “bound” conveyance means similar to that shown in FIG. 5, except that its tapes are offset from the tapes in transport section 164. Transport section 166 may be controlled by one or more independent reversible drives from transport section 164. The drive for transportation section 166 is in operative connection and operates under control of a control circuit.

Transport section 166 ends on rollers 174 and 176. Rollers 174 and 176 are coaxial with other rollers that are in an intermediate position thereto and which are part of transport section 168. The conveying section 168 ends on rollers 178 and 180, which are adjacent to a customer-accessible slot, indicated at 182. The conveying section 168 is driven by at least one independent reversible drive in response to the operation of the control circuit.

Transport sections 166 and 168 along path 46 provide locations where documents or stacks of documents can be temporarily stored when other documents are routed through intersections 60 and 76. After the necessary processing is performed on individual documents, documents that are temporarily stored in sections 166 and 168 transportation, can be moved to other transportation sections for further processing. It should be understood that transport sections 166 and 168 include appropriate sensors for sensing positions of documents temporarily stored in them, which allows the control circuit to coordinate their movement.

An additional advantage of the described exemplary embodiment is that the automated banking machine 10 not only can receive individual documents and stacks of documents from the customer, but it can also accept ordinary deposited envelopes. As shown in FIG. 17, a thick paper sheet similar to the deposited envelope 184 can be moved along path 46 from the customer. The identification information of the deposited element as the deposited envelope can be created based on readings from sensors 126, 128 or 130, which are shown in FIG. 4, or alternatively or additionally based on customer data entered by one or more data input devices at customer interface 12 on a machine.

The deposited envelope 184 moves along the transport path 46 in the direction of arrow E, as shown in FIG. After determining that the document traveling along the transportation path is a deposited envelope, the control circuit uses a paper sheet guiding device 110 to direct the envelope along the transport path 42. The control circuit also allows roller 96 and tapes 88 to move in the direction indicated by arrow F. This causes the span of tape 88 to move to the position shown by the dotted line in FIG. 4. This enables the envelope to move into the storage device 40 (see FIG. 3), in which it can be stacked in alignment with other envelopes. In addition, the control circuit may also use the conveyance means 118 and the roller 124 shown in FIG. 4 to ensure that the envelope 184 does not pass along the path 42 for transporting the paper sheet further than the storage 40.

The ability of an automated banking machine according to an embodiment to process deposited envelopes, stacks of paper sheets and individual paper sheets provides improved machine functionality. The ability of the exemplary embodiment to receive thick elements into the path region 42 adjacent to the intersection also enables the control circuit to use this region adjacent to the intersection as a temporary storage location for stacks of paper sheets. This may be desirable in some embodiments, where the receipt form is entered on the transportation path 74 and should be directed to the transportation path 150 for printing on it before being combined with a stack to be issued to the customer.

An exemplary embodiment of the BA has the ability to save the assembled stack of paper sheets adjacent to intersection 60 in the transportation path 42 until the time when the printed receipt moves to the intersection along the first path 46. Since the receipt form was made in the document creation device and moved to the intersection 60 section 100 transportation, the stack moves to the intersection in a coordinated manner so that the printed receipt is added to the stack and is located on the upper side of the stack. The assembled stack can be moved along the transport path 46 to the gap, where it can be accepted by the customer.

In some embodiments, the implementation of BA can also provide some types of documents in exchange for other documents. As described above, some embodiments may receive checks or other documents, verify the validity of checks, and issue money to the user. In some embodiments, the user can enter banknotes in the BA and accept other types of documents, such as payment orders, bonds, vouchers, gift or bank checks. In some embodiments, the control circuit may perform operations in the manner described above to store information regarding individual banknotes in a data store in relation to information suitable for identifying a user who has deposited banknotes into a machine. Some embodiments may store relevant information about all or part of such data that identifies a check, payment order, or other document issued by the machine to the user.

In some embodiments, the ability of an individual user to deposit cash into an AD can be controlled or limited to avoid money laundering or other suspicious activities. For example, a user placing banknotes in an BA to purchase payment orders or other documents may be asked to enter at least one identification element. This may include entering biometric data, such as, for example, a fingerprint. Such at least one input identification element may include data from a card or other device that the user enters to use the machine, or may be used instead of or in addition to. Alternatively, some embodiments may provide the ability to use the BA to purchase documents, such as payment orders, gift certificates or other documents, without the need for a card or similar device to access the machine. In some cases, the user may exchange banknotes of some denomination for banknotes of another denomination. In such cases, the control scheme may require the input of at least one identification element from a user requesting an exchange of cash for other documents.

The control circuit can perform operations in accordance with the programmed commands and parameters so as to limit the number or value of documents that the user can buy or accept in another way. These operations may include comparing user credentials with data entered in connection with previous transactions. This can be done by comparing the user input stored in the data warehouse in a particular BA and / or data stored in computers associated with the BA. By limiting the number or value of documents that a user can buy for cash, either in general for a particular document or within a given time period, the risk of illegal actions, such as money laundering, can be minimized. Additionally, such systems may provide the ability to track funds.

An alternative embodiment of an automated banking machine is indicated at 186 in FIG. Machine 186 is similar to machine 10 except that it includes two panels and customer interfaces, indicated at 188 and 190. Machine 186 is generally capable of performing operations for two users simultaneously.

The paper sheet processing mechanism for machine 186 is indicated at 192 in FIG. The paper sheet processing mechanism 192 is similar to that described in the first embodiment, except as noted below. The mechanism 192 includes a slot 194 available to the first customer, an interface 190 of the customer, and a slot 196 available to the second customer via the customer interface 188. The customer slot 196 receives and issues paper sheets through the conveyance section 197. The conveyance section 197 is preferably a conveyor with a “bound” tape, such as that shown in FIG. 5, capable of moving paper sheets, envelopes and stacks of integrated paper sheets. The transport section 197 is driven by a drive similar to the reverse drives used for other conveyor belt sections and is operatively connected to the machine control circuit.

The operation of the alternative paper sheet processing mechanism 192 is similar to that described above, except that the paper sheets, envelopes, or stacks of paper sheets that are being processed can be received from or issued either through a customer slot 194 or a customer slot 196. Due to the possibility of a high processing speed according to an exemplary embodiment, the paper sheet processing mechanism 192 can accordingly serve two users simultaneously without unnecessary delay.

As is apparent from the foregoing description, the modifications necessary for the paper sheet processing mechanism according to the first embodiment, which provide the ability to work with two users at the same time, are relatively modest. In an exemplary embodiment, it is possible to increase the number of customer interfaces on a machine from one to two for a relatively low cost. This is especially beneficial for ATMs installed in an area with a large number of customers. It is also useful for automated banking machines, such as those used by cashiers to count and issue bank notes. This is due to the fact that the configuration of the paper sheet processing mechanism allows two cashiers or other personnel to be served by a single machine.

Exemplary embodiments may work to provide operations in accordance with the principles disclosed in US Pat. No. 6,315,194, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

24 schematically shows an exemplary system 200 and the steps of an appropriate document processing method, such as banknotes of doubtful validity or invalid documents or banknotes that have been received by the banking machine 202. The banking machine 202 may be similar to BA 10 or 186 described above, or may have excellent construction. In an exemplary embodiment, the automated banking machine includes an evaluation device for evaluating the veracity of documents, such as banknotes, that are deposited by the user into the machine during one or more transactions. The evaluation device operates as described above, with a connection to a controller, control circuit or other devices in the machine for identifying documents of doubtful authenticity and / or unreliability of documents.

As can be seen from the above description and the disclosure included, some banknotes that are deposited in the machine may be identified as invalid, such as obviously fake banknotes or other documents that are not banknotes. Other documents that are deposited into the machine can be determined as a result of the evaluation device to be more likely to be reliable banknotes, but which nevertheless do not qualify as documents that the machine accepts as undeniably reliable. Of course, it should be clear that the determination that the parameters qualify a particular banknote or other type of document in the machine as undeniably reliable, of dubious reliability or unreliable, may in some embodiments be established by the machine operator and / or relevant authorities within the jurisdiction which uses this machine.

In an exemplary embodiment, automated banking machine 202 receives documents with dubious reliability, but marks such documents with at least one deletion mark so that each document can be tracked and later further evaluated as reliable or unreliable. In an exemplary embodiment of the system 200 shown in FIG. 24, machine 202 communicates through a network 204 with one or more computers that are located at remote locations. Such remote computers may include computers located in a bank, financial institution or other source of monetary value, indicated at 206 in the diagram. A user using an exemplary BA 202 usually identifies himself or an account (account) in the manner described above, and conducts transactions, which may include the submission or receipt of documents, such as banknotes. When the user conducts the transaction with the account, BA 202 transmits messages over the network 204 to one or more computers 206 of the bank to allow and record transactions. Such transactions usually have associated identification information that is stored in the BA, bank or other computers on the network in order to document the transaction and settle payments between users, machine operators, banks and other objects that may be involved in ongoing transactions. One or more indicators that may be associated with a transaction may include a unique transaction number associated with the particular transaction in which the document is presented. The transaction number may correspond to a transaction for a specific date, time and BA. Alternatively or in addition, the indicator associated with the transaction may include information about the account of the user or other entity on whose behalf the transaction is being conducted. Alternatively or in addition, an indicator associated with a transaction may include biometric or other data regarding a particular person conducting the transaction or having an account. Of course, indicators may contain a combination of such information, as well as data from other sources.

In an exemplary embodiment, when the BA 202 receives a document that is rated as having dubious reliability, a control circuit that is alternatively referred to herein as a controller or processor operating in the BA performs a mapping of one or more indicators to a transaction. Additionally, in an exemplary embodiment of the system 200, the control circuitry forces the BA to communicate through a network with a corresponding bank 206 to provide credit to a user who has submitted reliable documents to the machine. In some embodiments, one or more computers in a bank or otherwise connected to the network may also receive an indication from the controller in the BA that the machine has received a questionable document from a particular user that requires further evaluation. Alternatively or in addition, a BA may provide additional information regarding a dubious document for which a loan is issued. Such information may include, for example, a serial number from a document, an image of a document, or other identification information related to a particular document, which makes it possible to uniquely identify the document. Other information may include transaction information corresponding to a particular account, date, time and BA. In some embodiments, a loan that a user or account accepts and associated with a document of doubtful certainty may be specifically indicated by the controller in the BA, the bank, or both, as being a conditional loan that can be canceled if it is not later confirmed that The document is valid. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the credit provided for a document of doubtful certainty may be the same as that provided for documents rated as having undeniable credibility.

In exemplary embodiments, documents judged in BA as having dubious validity are transferred to the BA on a marking device, such as a printing device 70. The printing device is designed to place a mark on a document that has doubtful validity. In an exemplary embodiment, the marking device operates in response to the operations of the BA control circuit to mark the document with a deleted mark. The removable label in some exemplary embodiments may comprise removable ink that can subsequently be removed from the document without damaging the ink or other features that are typically required on the document. Alternatively, the marking device may affix a removable tag, label or other subsequently removable element to a document that identifies a particular document as having dubious validity. The marking of a document may also comprise generating unique identification information that corresponds to a particular inappropriate document, such that corresponds to a serial number on a banknote. A specific document may be stored separately. Information about the document may be in a suitable format, for example, in the form of digital images, allowing them to be stored in computer memory. The stored document information may be comparable with the information in the database to identify inconsistencies. For example, the serial number on the banknote may correspond to the serial number in the watch list in the database. Other comparisons may show that this serial number corresponds to a document that has already been destroyed. Other real-time comparisons using computers may show that the serial number matches the document currently located in another BA. The comparison may involve the use of a global computer network that can accurately track currency banknotes in the area of the capabilities of banks, governments, etc.

In some exemplary embodiments, the deletion tag includes at least a portion of the indicator associated with the transaction. As described above, such indicators may include all or part of a unique transaction number, account number, user identification, biometric data, or other data that is acceptable for use by the system. In an exemplary embodiment, the indicator provides specific information so that a specific document can be later identified, and the specific user or object on whose behalf the document was placed in the machine can be notified later, and any loan issued by the document can be canceled, if it is later determined that the document is not reliable.

In some exemplary embodiments, the marking device marks documents rated as having dubious reliability with a label containing visible inks that are visible to users in ambient lighting conditions. Alternatively or in addition, marks on documents may contain invisible ink or the like. In some exemplary embodiments, the removable label may contain removable ink that is visible or detectable only when exposed to radiation in a certain frequency range. This may include, for example, irradiation with ultraviolet light, infrared light or radiation of other frequencies. Alternatively or additionally, the markings may consist of machine-readable identification information, such as a bar code, or other identification information corresponding to biometric or other data. Of course, it should be understood that these approaches are exemplary, and other types of removable labels and indicators may be used in other embodiments.

During operation of an exemplary BA 202, documents of dubious reliability after marking with a deleted label are stored in the first storage location in the machine. The first storage location in the exemplary embodiment is a location for storing documents that have been marked, and is a different location from locations that are used for storing documents that have been rated as reliable. Thus, for example, in exemplary embodiments, documents that are received by the machine from the user during the first transaction and which are rated as of dubious reliability are marked with a deletion mark and placed at the first storage location. Other documents that are deemed reliable are stored in one or more corresponding second storage locations. As a result, the document stored in the second location can later be issued from the machine to another user during the second transaction, in which the subsequent user requests the receipt of such a document.

In some embodiments, the deletion mark applied to documents of doubtful certainty is such that documents can be subsequently evaluated or later examined without deletion. This may include, for example, marking documents at locations that do not alter or obscure security features or other aspects of documents that need to be evaluated in determining reliability. Alternatively, the marking may be applied in the form of ink or a specific color that does not interfere with the subsequent evaluation operation, with the mark still in place. Of course, in other embodiments, other approaches may be used.

In an exemplary BA 202, documents that are judged invalid by the evaluation device are held by the machine. For such documents, the control scheme and other related computers do not give the user or account holder any credit for such documents. In addition, an exemplary BA 202 includes a device for applying a permanent label to documents that are judged to be unreliable. As described above, such permanent marking marking devices may include printing devices that apply permanent ink or other substance to an unreliable document. Alternatively, invalid documents may be wholly or partially torn, punched or otherwise distorted to provide a guarantee that they will not be returned to circulation. In some embodiments, information related to inauthentic documents may be transmitted by the machine to the network 204 and to the bank 206. After that, the bank can communicate through one or more communication systems 208 with the appropriate authorities 210 in order to investigate the circumstances and source of the inaccurate documents. Such information may include images of documents, information about a particular user or account associated with a document deposit, or other information that will facilitate the study of the source and / or circumstances related to a particular document. Of course, such an invalid document can also be stored in the appropriate storage location in the machine for the purpose of tracking and subsequent transmission to the authorities that investigate the circumstances surrounding the submission of an invalid document. Of course, this approach is exemplary, and other approaches may be used in other embodiments.

As schematically indicated in FIG. 24, in the exemplary system 200, documents of dubious reliability, indicated by 212, are removed from the BA and transferred to perform the assessment operation indicated by 214 in the diagram. In some embodiments, documents judged to be unreliable, as well as and documents that are rated as of dubious reliability may be transported to carry out the valuation operation.

It should be understood that although the evaluation operation 214 according to an exemplary embodiment is shown to be performed remotely from the BA, in some embodiments, the evaluation operation may be carried out in the neighborhood or even inside an automated banking machine.

In an exemplary banknote valuation operation, the valuation operations indicated at 216 in the diagram are subjected to questionable certainty. It should be understood that the valuation operation 216 may include a machine read as well as a human perception of a particular document. As schematically represented by document 218, during the evaluation action, the document is preferably assessed for reliability by the presence of the removed mark 220 remaining in place on it. As described above, this is facilitated in some embodiments by the fact that the removed mark is located in an area that does not include significant security features, or by the execution of the removed mark with ink or other substance that does not interfere with the assessment of the authenticity of the document. Of course, these approaches are exemplary and other approaches may be used in other embodiments.

During the valuation operation, a banknote or other document with doubtful certainty is examined again to determine whether the document is reliable or unreliable. In an exemplary embodiment, when it is determined that the document is reliable, the result of the evaluation operation by one or more computers, processors or other devices is transmitted as a message to bank 206 and confirm that the particular document is reliable. This is represented schematically by function 222. In response to confirmation that a particular document is reliable, bank 206 or other relevant entities may take measures to remove the conditional nature of the loan previously associated with the document deposit. Of course, as described above, in alternative embodiments, such confirmation may not be necessary when no action is taken to make the loan conditional.

In an exemplary embodiment, the valuation operation removes deleted marks from banknotes that are judged to be reliable. This is represented by function 224. Removing a tag may include washing and drying the banknotes with appropriate substances to remove the tag being deleted, while not damaging a particular document. Such an operation may include, for example, washing the banknote with water-based substances and drying the banknote to remove the mark. Alternatively, in situations where deleted marks or other elements have been used, such elements are deleted during the execution of function 224. Of course, in some embodiments, especially in cases where the label is clearly not visible to the eye, it may not be necessary to remove the deleted label from a specific document. Whether the deleted tag is deleted or not will depend on the specific system, the nature of the tag and the requirements of the particular object using the system, or the authorities responsible for the document.

The exemplary appraisal operation also includes a conformity assessment function indicated at 226 in the diagram. The conformity assessment function in the exemplary embodiment is intended to perform a review of the document to determine if its nature is such that the document should be returned to the general circulation or transferred to the appropriate authority for withdrawal from circulation. For example, in the case of banknotes that are worn or marked irreversibly or mutilated, it may be appropriate to submit such banknotes for destruction to the central bank or other authorized body. This usually avoids the additional circulation of the banknote and the need for subsequent analysis when the banknote is again presented and an assessment of doubtful reliability will be necessary. Alternatively, as schematically shown in FIG. 24, if during the execution of the evaluation function 226, the document is determined to be suitable for return to circulation, the document is sent to the operations of a bank or other entity responsible for the valuation operation and can be returned to circulation. This may include, for example, placing a document in a cassette or other container that can be returned to an automated banking machine, from which a document can be issued in subsequent transactions.

In exemplary appraisal operation 214, if it is determined that the document is unreliable during appraisal step 216, an alert is issued to a bank or other entity to cancel a provisional or regular loan. This is represented by function 228. In an exemplary embodiment, the evaluation operation is for exchanging messages through one or more computers or processors with bank 206 that a particular document has been evaluated as invalid. In response to receiving such a message, the bank cancels the loan that was issued to the specific user or account holder responsible for submitting the document. Since a particular user may encounter problems with his account if he is not notified that the loan for the document has been canceled, in an exemplary embodiment, the bank 206 notifies the user or owner of the account that the preliminary loan has been canceled. This step is schematically represented by 230.

If it has been determined that the document is invalid, it may also be acceptable to the bank or other entity to notify the relevant authorities 210 regarding the nature of the transaction and / or the invalid document. As shown schematically in FIG. 24, in situations where the document is judged to be inaccurate, the document is labeled on it, as represented schematically by function 232. The document can be supported with a removable mark on it and separated accordingly to avoid any interference or subsequent issuance a specific document, except for transmission to the appropriate authorities. This can make it easier to maintain an accurate chain of custody for the purpose of conducting user research or specific circumstances in which an inaccurate document was presented to the machine. For example, the authorities responsible for examining a fake banknote may need to obtain a marked document and information related to the transaction and the user in order to investigate an illegal act.

Although an exemplary system 200 has been described with respect to documents of dubious validity, such a system can also be used for documents judged to be unreliable. For example, documents judged by BA 202 to be inaccurate may nevertheless be reassessed through an assessment operation to determine whether the document is valid. Alternatively, in some embodiments, documents judged to be invalid may also be marked with a deleted mark, rather than a permanent mark. Similarly, in some embodiments, all documents with dubious reliability or unreliable may be marked with constant marks. Such marks may be desirable in some circumstances where documents that cannot be judged to be reliable may be marked accordingly to remove them from circulation. If a document originally evaluated as manifestly inaccurate is determined to be reliable during the assessment, relevant messages can be sent to the bank or other entities to indicate to the user, account holder or other authorized bodies that the document was identified as being reliable.

It should be understood that the system 200 is exemplary and, in other embodiments, other approaches, devices, and method steps may be used.

Thus, the exemplary embodiments of an automated banking machine and related methods of the present invention achieve at least some of the above stated objectives, eliminate the difficulties encountered in using known devices and systems, solve problems, and achieve the desired results described herein.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clarity, and understanding. However, no unnecessary restrictions should be implied from them, because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be widely understood. In addition, descriptions and illustrations are given by way of example, and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described.

In the following claims, any feature described as a means for performing a function should be considered as affecting any means known to those skilled in the art that are capable of performing the specified function, and not merely as equivalents of the specific means described in the foregoing description. The inclusion of an abstract should not be construed as limiting the required invention to the features described in this abstract.

After the description of the features, disclosure and principles of the invention, the method by which it is created and used, as well as the benefits and useful results achieved; new and useful structures, devices, elements, arrangements, parts, combinations, systems, equipment, actions, methods and ratios are set forth in the appended claims.

Claims (142)

1. An automated banking machine containing a housing including a slot adapted to receive a stack of paper sheets into the machine, the stack including both banknotes and checks; the separation mechanism in the machine, while the separation mechanism separates the paper sheets separately from the stack; a display device for generating an electronic representation of at least a portion of the receipts that have been separated from the stack; a validation device for evaluating the validity of banknotes that have been separated from the stack; a banknote processing mechanism for storing banknotes rated as reliable during operation of the validation device. 2. The machine according to claim 1, additionally containing a cancellation device, while the cancellation device is designed to mark checks that have been placed in the machine. 3. The machine according to claim 2, in which the machine further comprises a location for storing checks, while the machine stores in the location for storing checks in the machine those checks that have been marked by the cancellation device. 4. The machine according to claim 1, in which the machine further comprises a dispensing device, wherein the dispensing device is intended for issuing checks that have been marked with a cancellation device from the machine through a slot. 5. The machine according to claim 1, in which the banknote processing mechanism includes a banknote storage location, wherein the banknote processing mechanism is configured to selectively store and dispense banknotes from the banknote storage location. 6. The machine according to claim 5, in which the machine includes many banknote processing mechanisms, each banknote processing mechanism being configured to store and issue banknotes of various denominations. 7. The machine of claim 1, wherein the machine includes a plurality of banknote processing mechanisms, wherein at least one of the banknote processing mechanisms is configured to issue banknotes. 8. The machine according to claim 7, in which at least one of the banknote processing mechanisms is intended for both storing and issuing banknotes. 9. The machine of claim 8, in which at least one of the banknote processing mechanisms is configured to store, but not issue, banknotes. 10. The machine of claim 8, further comprising at least one banknote issuance mechanism that is not designed to accept banknotes. 11. The machine according to claim 1, further comprising a stack assembly mechanism, wherein the stack assembly mechanism is configured to form an assembled stack from individual documents in the machine. 12. The machine according to claim 11, in which the assembled stack is issued from the machine through the slot. 13. The machine of claim 12, further comprising a cancellation device for marking checks for which electronic images have been generated by the operation of the display device, and wherein the stack assembly mechanism is intended to include checks in the assembled stack. 14. The machine according to item 13, further containing at least one mechanism for issuing banknotes, and the machine is designed to issue at least one banknote in response to receiving a check, and the banknotes are issued in response to receiving a check, and a marked check included in the assembled stack in response to the operation of the stack assembly mechanism. 15. The machine of claim 14, further comprising a receipt creation device in which receipts generated by the receipt creation device are included in the assembled stack in response to the operation of the stack assembly mechanism. 16. The machine according to claim 1, additionally containing at least one data input device, and at least one data input device is designed to receive at least one data input suitable for use to identify the user of the machine. 17. The machine according to claim 1, in which the machine includes at least one device for issuing banknotes, while the machine is designed to dispense banknotes through the slot. 18. The machine according to 17, further comprising a stack assembly mechanism, wherein the stack assembly mechanism is configured to place banknotes that are to be dispensed from the machine into the assembled stack before dispensing banknotes through the slot. 19. The machine of claim 18, further comprising a document generating apparatus, wherein the document generating apparatus creates documents and wherein the stack assembly mechanism is configured to include documents produced by the document generating apparatus in the assembled stack. 20. The machine according to claim 19, in which the document creation device is configured to create receipts for transactions conducted in the machine. 21. The machine according to claim 19, in which the document creation device is configured to create checks. 22. The machine according to claim 19, in which the document creation device is configured to create payment orders. 23. The machine of claim 22, wherein the machine comprises at least one data input device, wherein at least one data input device is configured to receive at least one input data suitable for use in identifying a user of the machine, and this machine is configured to limit the amount of payment orders provided to a particular user of the machine. 24. The machine according to clause 16, in which the validation device is configured to identify at least one separate banknote separated from the stack, and the machine is configured to store data corresponding to at least one separate banknote in the data warehouse, and data suitable for use in identifying a user entering at least one single bill into a machine. 25. The machine according to paragraph 24, in which at least one separate banknote is a suspicious banknote. 26. The machine according A.25, in which the machine further comprises a location for storing suspicious banknotes, and the machine is configured to save a suspicious banknote in the storage location of suspicious banknotes. 27. The machine according to paragraph 24, in which the validation device is configured to identify at least one separate banknote by determining the serial number on the banknote. 28. The machine of claim 27, comprising a data warehouse including serial numbers of banknotes, and the machine is configured to compare a serial number on at least one separate banknote with data representing the serial number of a banknote stored in the data warehouse. 29. The machine of claim 28, configured to include in the data store data representing the serial numbers of banknotes received in the machine. 30. The machine according to clause 29, configured to compare the serial numbers of banknotes in a stacked pile with the serial numbers of banknotes previously accepted by the machine. 31. The machine of claim 30, wherein the banknote processing device is further configured to issue banknotes from the machine, and wherein the machine is configured to indicate serial numbers of banknotes corresponding to banknotes issued from the machine in the data store. 32. The machine according to clause 16, further containing a device for creating documents, the device for creating documents is configured to create documents in exchange for entering banknotes into the machine, and the machine is configured to issue documents from the housing. 33. The machine according to p, in which the documents contain payment orders. 34. The machine of claim 32, further comprising a data store, the data store being configured to store data suitable for use in identifying a user receiving documents in exchange for entering banknotes into the machine. 35. The machine according to clause 34, configured to limit documents that an individual user can accept in exchange for entering banknotes into the machine. 36. The machine according to clause 35, made with the possibility of limiting the cost of documents that an individual can accept in exchange for entering banknotes into the machine. 37. The machine according to clause 34, in which at least one data input device comprises a device for receiving input biometric data. 38. The machine of claim 33, further comprising a receipt creation device, and wherein the machine is configured to issue a receipt generated by the receipt creation device for payment orders and issue such receipts from the building. 39. The machine according to § 38, further comprising a stack assembly mechanism, wherein the stack assembly mechanism is configured to include a payment order created by the document generation device and a receipt created by the receipt generation device in the assembled stack in the machine. 40. The machine according to § 39, in which the assembled stack is issued from the machine through the gap. 41. A method for tracking banknotes in an automated banking machine, comprising the steps of (a) accepting a stack of paper sheets, including banknotes and checks, into an automated banking machine through a slot in the machine body; (b) separating each of the paper sheets from the stack using a separation mechanism in a machine; (c) generating, using a display device, data corresponding to the image of at least a portion of the check separated from the stack; (d) evaluate the authenticity verification device of the reliability of at least one banknote separated from the stack; (e) accept banknotes evaluated by the validator as valid in the machine. 42. The method according to paragraph 41, further comprising the step of: (f) marking at least one check with a cancellation device after step (e). 43. The method according to § 42, further comprising issuing at least one tagged receipt from the housing. 44. The method according to paragraph 41, further comprising issuing cash from the machine in response to receiving at least one check by the machine. 45. The method according to item 43, prior to step (g) further comprising assembling banknotes and at least one marked check into an assembled stack within the machine, and in step (g), the check is issued from the machine in the assembled stack. 46. The method according to paragraph 41, in which at step (e) at least one banknote is stored in a banknote processing device, which is configured to selectively store and issue banknotes, the method further comprising issuing at least one banknote from the banknote processing device . 47. The method according to item 46, further comprising the steps of: (f) collecting a plurality of banknotes issued by the banknote processing apparatus into an assembled stack in a machine, and (g) discharging the assembled stack from the machine through the slot. 48. The method according to clause 47, in which the machine includes a document creation device and further comprises, before step (g), creating a document by the document creating device and placing the document in a collected pile, wherein in step (g), the created document is issued from the machine to assembled stack. 49. The method according to p, in which the document created by the device for creating documents contains a receipt. 50. The method according to p, in which the document created by the document creation device contains a payment order. 51. The method of claim 48, wherein the document created by the document generating apparatus comprises a check. 52. The method according to paragraph 41, further comprising receiving at least one data inputted by at least one data input device into the machine, suitable for use in identifying a user of the machine. 53. The method according to paragraph 52, further comprising determining by machine the serial number of the banknote received in the machine. 54. The method according to item 53, further comprising the step of storing in at least one data store such data that is suitable for use in identifying the user of the machine and the serial number of at least one banknote received by the machine from the user. 55. The method according to paragraph 52, in which, at step (d), the banknote is assessed as suspicious, the method further comprising storing in the data warehouse such data that is suitable for use in determining the identification information of the user presenting the suspicious banknote to the machine. 56. The method according to § 55, further comprising the step of determining the serial number of the suspicious banknote and storing such data in the data warehouse that correspond to the serial number. 57. The method of claim 52, further comprising the steps of: (f) determining the serial number of at least one banknote accepted by the machine; (g) storing data representing at least one serial number in a data warehouse. 58. The method of claim 57, further comprising the step of: (h) comparing, by an operation performed by the machine, at least one serial number of the banknote received by the machine with data corresponding to the serial numbers of banknotes stored in the data store. 59. The method of claim 58, further comprising providing an indication that the serial number of the banknote received by the machine corresponds to the serial number stored in the data store. 60. The method of claim 57, further comprising the steps of: (h) issue a banknote from the machine; (i) include in the data warehouse an indication of the serial number of the banknote that was issued from the machine. 61. The method of claim 60, further comprising including in the data warehouse such data that is suitable for use in determining a user of the machine to whom a note has been issued in step (h). 62. The method of claim 57, further comprising the steps of: (h) issue a banknote from the machine; (i) delete data corresponding to the serial number of the issued banknote from the data warehouse. 63. The method of claim 57, further comprising the steps of: (h) creating in the machine at least one of the check or payment order by performing an operation by the document generating device in response to at least one banknote received in the machine; (i) issue at least one of a check or payment order to a machine user through a slot. 64. The method of claim 63, further comprising storing, in a related manner, in the data warehouse, identification data indicating at least one issued check or payment order, with data suitable for use in identifying a particular user of the machine with someone at the stage (i ) at least one check or payment order has been issued. 65. The method of claim 63, further comprising the step of limiting the amount of at least one check or payment order issued from the machine to a specific user in exchange for banknotes received by the machine from the user. 66. The method of claim 64, further comprising the steps of: (j) determining at least one serial number of at least one banknote accepted by the machine in exchange for a check or payment order; (k) storing data corresponding to at least one serial number in the data warehouse in relation to data suitable for use in determining the identification information of the user of the machine receiving the check or payment order. 67. The method according to item 63, further comprising prior to step (i) creating a receipt by the device creating a receipt in the machine and assembling a receipt and at least one check or payment order into an assembled stack by performing an operation by the stack assembly mechanism in a machine, wherein in step (i), at least one check or payment order is issued from the machine in a pile. 68. A method for tracking banknotes in an automated banking machine, comprising the steps of: (a) accepting at least one banknote in an automated banking machine; (b) evaluating with a validation device in said machine that at least one banknote has doubtful validity; (c) storing data suitable for use in identifying said at least one banknote and the user from whom said at least one banknote was stored in a data store in a machine; and (d) marking at least one banknote with the marking device in the machine by means of at least one mark in response to the assessment in step (b) that said at least one banknote has doubtful validity. 69. The method according to p, in which step (b) includes determining the serial number of at least one banknote, and step (c) includes storing data corresponding to the serial number. 70. The method according to p, optionally containing before step (c):  (e) comparing the serial number of at least one banknote with data corresponding to at least one serial number previously stored in the data store. 71. The method according to item 70, in which at least one pre-stored serial number contains the serial numbers of fake banknotes. 72. The method according to item 70, in which at least one serial number previously stored in the machine, contains the serial numbers of banknotes already stored in the machine. 73. The method of claim 72, wherein, in step (b), the banknote is evaluated as being of questionable reliability in response to determining that the serial number of at least one banknote received by the machine corresponds to the serial number of another banknote already stored in the machine. 74. The method of claim 68, wherein, in step (c), data suitable for use in identifying a user is stored in response to determining in step (b) that at least one banknote is of doubtful validity. 75. The method of claim 68, further comprising the step of: (e) receiving at least one data by performing one data entry operation from a user to at least one data input device in a machine, wherein in step (c) the data suitable for use in identifying the user corresponds to at least one data entered . 76. The method according to item 75, in which at step (e) at least one data entry operation comprises the step of reading data from the card. 77. The method according to claim 75, wherein in step (e), at least one data entry operation comprises inputting biometric data. 78. The method according to item 75, further comprising the steps of: (f) receive a request from the user for the machine to issue the user at least one non-cash document redeemed for value in exchange for at least one banknote, and (g) issue at least one document from the machine. 79. The method according to p, containing before step (g) the steps: (h) determining by means of the operation by the machine whether the fulfillment of the request by the user adopted in step (f) will result in the issuance to the user of non-cash documents redeemed for cost in excess of quantity or value, and  perform step (g) only if it is determined in step (h) that the execution of the request by the user will not result in the user receiving non-cash documents in excess of quantity or value. 80. The method of claim 79, wherein in step (h), determining whether the execution of the request causes the user to accept documents in excess of quantity or value includes assessing at least one previous transaction, resulting in that the user accepts non-cash documents in exchange for banknotes in a previous transaction. 81. The method of claim 80, wherein, in step (h), it is determined whether, as a result of the request in step (f), the user can accept documents in excess of quantity or denomination in exchange for banknotes within a given time period. 82. The method of claim 78, further comprising storing in the data warehouse that data that is suitable for use in identifying at least one non-cash document redeemed for value in connection with data suitable for use in identifying a user. 83. The method of claim 79, wherein in step (g), the document is a payment order. 84. The method of claim 79, wherein in step (g), the document is a gift. 85. The method of claim 79, wherein in step (g), the document is a check. 86. A method for tracking documents in an automated banking machine, comprising the steps of: (a) evaluate the accuracy of the document by performing the operation of the evaluation device in an automated banking machine; (b) in response to evaluating the document as of dubious validity, in step (a) mark the document with at least one removable mark by performing the operation by the marking device in said machine. 87. The method according to p, optionally containing a transaction by an automated banking machine, and when the transaction is completed, the document is placed in the machine. 88. The method of claim 87, further comprising associating the indicator with a transaction by performing an operation by a machine in which, in step (b), at least one tag to be deleted includes at least a portion of the indicator. 89. The method of claim 88, wherein the indicator is a transaction number. 90. The method according to p, in which the transaction is carried out in relation to the account, while the indicator is associated with the account. 91. The method according to p, in which the transaction is conducted by the user, the indicator is associated with the user. 92. The method according to p, in which the indicator contains machine-readable identification information. 93. The method according to paragraph 92, in which the indicator contains a bar code. 94. The method of claim 86, wherein in step (b), the at least one removable label comprises removable ink. 95. The method according to clause 94, in which the removed ink is visible ink. 96. The method according to clause 94, in which the removed ink is invisible ink. 97. The method according to clause 94, in which the removed ink is ink, visible only when exposed to radiation in a specific frequency range. 98. The method according to p. 97, in which the removed ink is ink that is visible only when exposed to UV radiation. 99. The method of claim 86, wherein in step (b), the at least one removable label comprises at least one removable label. 100. The method of claim 86, further comprising after step (b) storing the document in at least one first location in the machine. 101. The method according to p, optionally containing stages: (c) evaluate the reliability of at least one additional document by performing the operation by the machine; (d) storing said at least one additional document in the machine without marking said at least one additional document in response to the assessment in step (c) of said at least one additional document as reliable. 102. The method of claim 101, wherein in step (d), said at least one additional document is stored in at least one second location other than the first location. 103. The method according to p. 102, in which the first transaction conducted by the first user with the machine, contains steps (a) to (d) and further comprises conducting a second transaction for the second user by performing the operation by the machine, the second transaction comprising the step of issuing at least at least one additional document from the machine to the second user. 104. The method according to p, optionally containing after step (b) the implementation of the steps: (c) evaluate the document for credibility; (d) removing at least one deleted mark from the document in response to evaluating the document as valid in step (c). 105. The method of claim 104, wherein prior to step (c), the document is removed from the machine, and step (c) is performed outside the machine. 106. The method of claim 104, wherein the at least one deletable label comprises erasable ink, and wherein step (d) comprises erasing the ink. 107. The method according to p, in which at least one removable label contains washable ink, and at the same time step (d) contains washing and drying the document. 108. The method according to claim 90, in which, before performing step (b), the following steps are additionally performed:  (c) evaluate the document for credibility; (d) reading an indicator; (e) notify the account holder of the invalidity of the document in response to the determination in step (c) that the document is not reliable. 109. The method according to p. 91, in which, before performing step (b), the following steps are additionally performed: (c) evaluate the document for reliability; (d) reading an indicator; (e) notify the user of the invalidity of the document in response to the determination in step (c) that the document is not reliable. 110. The method of claim 89, further comprising the steps of: (c) remove the document from the machine; (d) after performing step (c), the validity of the document outside the machine is evaluated; (e) read the transaction number; (f) notify the person responsible for the transaction that the document is unreliable in response to the determination in step (d) that the document is unreliable. 111. The method according to p, optionally containing stages: (c) remove the document from the machine; (d) evaluate the document for validity outside the machine; (e) supporting at least one deleted mark on the document in response to determining in step (d) that the document is unreliable. 112. The method according to p, in which the document is a banknote. 113. The method according to p. 112, in which, in step (b), the document is marked in response to the machine's inability to decide whether the banknote is genuine. 114. The method according to p. 113, further comprising the steps of issuing a loan to the user who submitted the document to the machine, the document; saving the document in the car. 115. The method according to p. 114, further comprising the steps of: (c) remove the document from the machine; (d) after step (c), the document is evaluated for accuracy; (e) cancel the loan in response to the determination in step (d) that the document is not reliable. 116. The method according to p, optionally containing stages: (c) evaluate the reliability of another document by performing a machine operation; (d) in response to evaluating another document as invalid, in step (c) mark another document with at least one permanent mark by performing a machine operation. 117. The method of claim 116, further comprising the step of: (e) storing another document at a storage location in the machine. 118. The method according to p, in which, before step (c), another document is received from the user of the machine, and after step (d) is completed, a document is issued to the user from the machine. 119. The method according to p, in which the automated banking machine contains an ATM adapted to accept deposits in cash. 120. A document tracking device in an automated banking machine, comprising an automated banking machine, including at least one evaluation device adapted to evaluate the accuracy of a document in the machine, and at least one marking device, wherein the marking device is adapted to mark the document by at least one deleted tag in response to the assessment of the document as having dubious reliability. 121. The device according to p, in which the automated banking machine includes at least one receiving device adapted to receive a document from the user, and at least one transportation means for moving the document in the machine from the receiving device to the evaluation device. 122. The device according to p, optionally containing at least one storage location in the machine, in which the marked document is stored in this at least one storage location in the machine. 123. The device according to p. 120, further containing a control circuit, the control circuit configured to associate at least one indicator with a transaction in which a document is evaluated, the tag being deleted includes at least a part of the indicator. 124. The device according to p. 123, in which the indicator contains at least one of a transaction number, account number, bar code and identification information corresponding to a biometric feature. 125. The device according to p, in which the deleted label contains the deleted ink. 126. The device according to p, in which the removed label contains visible ink. 127. The device according to p, in which the removed ink is ink that is visible only when exposed to light in a certain frequency range. 128. The device according to p, in which the removable label contains a removable label. 129. The device according to p, in which at least one marking device is adapted to mark another document with at least one permanent mark in response to the evaluation of another document as unreliable in response to the operation performed by the evaluation device. 130. A document tracking device in an automated banking machine, comprising an automated banking machine, including at least one evaluation device adapted to separate the authenticity of a document unacceptable to the machine, an information generation device adapted to generate unique identification information related to the document, in response to a document that is unacceptable to the machine, the information corresponding to a readable indication mark on the document. 131. The device according to p, in which the device for generating information is adapted to mark an unacceptable document with a readable label. 132. The device according to p, in which the information generating device is adapted to mark an unacceptable document with at least one deleted label. 133. The device according to p, in which the device for generating information is adapted to mark an unacceptable document with at least one permanent label. 134. The device according to p. 130, in which at least one evaluation device is adapted to determine the reliability of the banknote, unacceptable to the machine. 135. The device according to p. 134, in which the information corresponds to the serial number on the banknote. 136. The device according to p, in which at least one evaluation device is adapted to determine the accuracy of the banknote, unacceptable to the machine, and the information generation device is adapted to mark a document in response to the inability of at least one evaluation device to decide that the banknote is genuine. 137. The device according to p, in which the automated banking machine contains an ATM adapted for receiving deposits in cash. 138. An ATM for receiving and tracking deposited banknotes containing at least one valuation device, wherein at least one valuation device is adapted to determine that the banknote deposited at the ATM is unacceptable, a marking device, and the marking device is adapted for marking a banknote identified as unacceptable at an ATM using at least one tag. 139. The ATM of claim 138, wherein the at least one tag is deletable from the banknote. Priority on points: 11/05/2001 according to claims 1-67; 05/07/2002 according to claims 68-119; 05/07/2002 according to claims 120-139.

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