Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
  • B65H3/00—Separating articles from piles
  • B65H3/02—Separating articles from piles using friction forces between articles and separator
  • B65H3/06—Rollers or like rotary separators
  • B65H3/0623—Rollers or like rotary separators acting at least during a part of each separation cycle on the articles in a direction opposite to the final separating direction
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
  • G07D—HANDLING OF COINS OR VALUABLE PAPERS, e.g. TESTING, SORTING BY DENOMINATIONS, COUNTING, DISPENSING, CHANGING OR DEPOSITING
  • G07D7/00—Testing specially adapted to determine the identity or genuineness of valuable papers or for segregating those which are unacceptable, e.g. banknotes that are alien to a currency
  • G07D7/181—Testing mechanical properties or condition, e.g. wear or tear
  • G07D7/183—Detecting folds or doubles
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
  • B65H29/00—Delivering or advancing articles from machines; Advancing articles to or into piles
  • B65H29/006—Winding articles into rolls
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
  • B65H3/00—Separating articles from piles
  • B65H3/02—Separating articles from piles using friction forces between articles and separator
  • B65H3/06—Rollers or like rotary separators
  • B65H3/063—Rollers or like rotary separators separating from the bottom of pile
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
  • B65H3/00—Separating articles from piles
  • B65H3/46—Supplementary devices or measures to assist separation or prevent double feed
  • B65H3/52—Friction retainers acting on under or rear side of article being separated
  • B65H3/5246—Driven retainers, i.e. the motion thereof being provided by a dedicated drive
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
  • G07D—HANDLING OF COINS OR VALUABLE PAPERS, e.g. TESTING, SORTING BY DENOMINATIONS, COUNTING, DISPENSING, CHANGING OR DEPOSITING
  • G07D11/00—Devices accepting coins; Devices accepting, dispensing, sorting or counting valuable papers
  • G07D11/10—Mechanical details
  • G07D11/12—Containers for valuable papers
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
  • G07D—HANDLING OF COINS OR VALUABLE PAPERS, e.g. TESTING, SORTING BY DENOMINATIONS, COUNTING, DISPENSING, CHANGING OR DEPOSITING
  • G07D11/00—Devices accepting coins; Devices accepting, dispensing, sorting or counting valuable papers
  • G07D11/10—Mechanical details
  • G07D11/14—Inlet or outlet ports
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
  • G07D—HANDLING OF COINS OR VALUABLE PAPERS, e.g. TESTING, SORTING BY DENOMINATIONS, COUNTING, DISPENSING, CHANGING OR DEPOSITING
  • G07D11/00—Devices accepting coins; Devices accepting, dispensing, sorting or counting valuable papers
  • G07D11/40—Device architecture, e.g. modular construction
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
  • G07D—HANDLING OF COINS OR VALUABLE PAPERS, e.g. TESTING, SORTING BY DENOMINATIONS, COUNTING, DISPENSING, CHANGING OR DEPOSITING
  • G07D7/00—Testing specially adapted to determine the identity or genuineness of valuable papers or for segregating those which are unacceptable, e.g. banknotes that are alien to a currency
  • G07D7/16—Testing the dimensions
  • G07D7/164—Thickness
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
  • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
  • G07F19/00—Complete banking systems; Coded card-freed arrangements adapted for dispensing or receiving monies or the like and posting such transactions to existing accounts, e.g. automatic teller machines
  • G07F19/20—Automatic teller machines [ATMs]
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
  • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
  • G07F19/00—Complete banking systems; Coded card-freed arrangements adapted for dispensing or receiving monies or the like and posting such transactions to existing accounts, e.g. automatic teller machines
  • G07F19/20—Automatic teller machines [ATMs]
  • G07F19/201—Accessories of ATMs
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
  • B65H2301/00—Handling processes for sheets or webs
  • B65H2301/40—Type of handling process
  • B65H2301/41—Winding, unwinding
  • B65H2301/419—Winding, unwinding from or to storage, i.e. the storage integrating winding or unwinding means
  • B65H2301/4191—Winding, unwinding from or to storage, i.e. the storage integrating winding or unwinding means for handling articles of limited length, e.g. AO format, arranged at intervals from each other
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
  • B65H2511/00—Dimensions; Position; Numbers; Identification; Occurrences
  • B65H2511/10—Size; Dimensions
  • B65H2511/13—Thickness
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
  • B65H2513/00—Dynamic entities; Timing aspects
  • B65H2513/40—Movement
  • B65H2513/41—Direction of movement
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
  • B65H2701/00—Handled material; Storage means
  • B65H2701/10—Handled articles or webs
  • B65H2701/19—Specific article or web
  • B65H2701/1912—Banknotes, bills and cheques or the like

Definitions

• This invention relates to automated banking machines. Specifically this invention relates to automated banking machines that have the capability of receiving financial instrument sheets such as notes, checks and other documents from users. This invention also relates to automated banking machines that dispense financial instrument sheets to users of the machines. This invention further relates to improved user interfaces for such automated banking machines. BACKGROUND ART The common type of automated banking machine used by consumers is an automated teller machine ("ATM"). ATMs enable customers to carry out banking transactions. Banking transactions carried out using ATMs may include the dispensing of cash, the making of deposits, the transfer of funds between accounts and account balance inquiries.
• ATM automated teller machine
• the types of banking transactions a customer can carry out are determined by the capabilities of the particular banking machine and the programming of the institution operating the machine.
• Other types of automated banking machines may be operated by merchants to carry out commercial transactions. These transactions may include, for example, the acceptance of deposit bags, the receipt of checks or other financial instruments, the dispensing of rolled coin or other transactions required by merchants.
• Still other types of automated banking machines may be used by service providers in a transaction environment such as at a bank to carry out financial transactions. Such transactions may include for example, the counting and storage of currency notes or other financial instrument sheets, the dispensing of notes or other sheets, the imaging of checks or other financial instruments, and other types of service provider transactions.
• an automated banking machine shall be deemed to include any machine that may be used to carry out transactions involving transfers of value.
• Many types of automated banking machines are required to handle financial instrument sheets.
• Such sheets may include for example, notes, checks or other documents that are representative of value.
• the financial instrument sheets may have varying properties from sheet to sheet. For example some sheets may be new and crisp while others that are equally valid may be used and worn.
• financial instrument sheets may be of different types which have different properties. These may include for example combinations of documents such as notes and checks which may be comprised of different types of paper or plastic materials.
• Automated banking machines are often positioned in locations that are sometimes unattended by bank officials or representatives of other entities owning the machines. In such cases security features are desirable to make it more difficult for criminals to attack the machine and attain access to the valuable financial instrument sheets that may be housed therein.
• Some automated banking machines are operated under conditions where they are exposed to the elements. In such situations rain or snow may enter openings in the machine and cause problems. This may be particularly true of sensitive mechanisms within the machine that handle financial instrument sheets.
• Automated banking machines are useful because they perform banking functions in a generally rapid and reliable manner. However there are situations where machines must go out of service for preventive maintenance or remedial service, hi such cases it is desirable to enable an authorized servicer to complete the maintenance activity as expeditiously as possible.
• an automated banking machine which is an automated teller machine ("ATM").
• the ATM includes a user interface which includes input devices for receiving identifying inputs that identify user accounts, as well as inputs from users that cause the machine to carry out transaction functions.
• the user interface further includes one or more output devices that output indicia such as instructions for a user in operating the machine.
• the exemplary embodiment includes a cash acceptor mechanism that is capable of receiving a stack of documents from a user.
• the stack of documents may include a stack of notes of various denominations or a stack comprising mixed types of financial instrument sheets such as notes and checks.
• the exemplary embodiment includes a mechanism which operates to separate each sheet individually from the stack. This is accomplished in the exemplary embodiment through movement of a picking member which includes a plurality of sheet engaging portions which engage a first sheet bounding the stack and urge the sheet to move in a first direction.
• the sheet engaging portions are separated by recesses which extend along the first direction.
• a first stripper portion is generally aligned with at least one recess.
• the first stripper portion engages the first sheet on a face thereof opposed from the face of the sheet engaged by the sheet engaging portions.
• This first stripper portion is generally not in a contacting stripping engagement with the picking member, and remains disposed therefrom a sufficient distance to enable the first sheet to pass in intermediate relation between the picking member and the first stripping portion.
• the engagement of the first sheet with the picking member and the first stripper portion is operative to impart a cross- sectional wave configuration to the sheet.
• a second stripper portion is provided and is engaged by the first sheet as it moves in the first direction after the sheet has been engaged by the first stripper portion.
• the second stripper portion is generally engaged in contacting stripping engagement with the picking member.
• the second stripper portion is biased toward the picking member with such force that sheets other than the first sheet moving in the first direction are prevented from moving past the second stripper portion while the first sheet is enabled to pass between the picking member and the second stripper portion.
• the relative movement of the picking member in stripping engagement with the second stripper portion is operative in most cases to separate additional sheets from the first sheet that have not been separated by the first stripper portion.
• financial instrument sheets may have different frictional and rigidity properties from sheet to sheet. For this reason the sheets that are not separated by the action of the picking member and the first stripper portion, will often be separated by the action of the picking member and the second stripper portion.
• the picking member comprises a generally cylindrical member with arcuate high friction segments thereon for engaging the sheet. The high friction segments in the exemplary embodiment are separated by annular recesses.
• the first stripper portion includes a surface of a plurality of rollers that are positioned in generally opposed but non-contacting engagement with the annular recesses.
• the first stripper rollers serve as a non contact stripper and in a first exemplary embodiment are each in operative connection with a one-way clutch which resists movement of the rollers in a rotational direction in which the rollers are urged to move as the first sheet is being separated by the stack.
• the one-way clutches enable ready movement of the sheet in the opposite direction so as to return a sheet to the stack. This may be done in some embodiments when it is detected that overlapping double sheets have been picked and it is desired to reverse the sheets in an attempt to strip all but a single sheet.
• the second stripper portion serves as a contact stripper and includes a surface of at least one contacting stripper roll that is biased into stripping engagement with a sheet engaging portion of the picking member.
• the contacting stripper roll of the first exemplary embodiment is similarly in operative connection with a one-way clutch so as to resist movement of the sheet being removed from the stack to provide stripping while enabling movement of the sheet to return to the stack.
• one or both of the stripper members may be driven by one or more drives in coordinated relation with the picking member. In such exemplary embodiments these stripper members may be driven so as to reconfigure sheets to facilitate the separation thereof.
• sheets may be oriented in the stack such that sheets are relatively disposed to one another in ways that make it more difficult to separate the sheets. For example, if the sheet located at the bottom of the stack is the one to be separated by being moved in a first direction by a picking member, and such bottom sheet is in abutting relation with an overlying sheet that is significantly advanced in the first direction relative to the underlying sheet, difficulty may be encountered in separating the two sheets until they are reoriented such that the overlying sheet is positioned so that it is even with or retarded from the first sheet relative to the picking direction. This may be accomplished in some embodiments through selectively driving one or more of the stripper members when multiple bills are sensed as having been able to pass the stripping members.
• the direction of the picking members and one or more stripping members may be reversed, but with one or both stripping members being driven such that the stripping member moves the overlying sheet further in a direction opposite to the picking direction, than the picking member moves the underlying sheet.
• This may be done in a number of ways, which may include, for example, having the stripping member or members urge the sheet to move back toward the stack as the sheet bounding the stack is held stationary by the picking member.
• both the picking member and one or both stripping members may move the multiple overlapping sheets back toward the stack, but with the stripping members moving so as to drive the overlying sheets at a faster rate, and thus a greater distance.
• the stripper members may drive the overlying sheet back towards the stack for a longer period of time, thus urging the sheet overlying the bottom sheet which is to be separated a longer distance.
• other approaches may be used to move the overlying sheet relative to the sheet to be picked so as to facilitate sheet separation when the picking member again urges the sheet bounding the stack to move in the picking direction. It should be understood, however, that these arrangements are exemplary and in other embodiments other approaches may be used.
• the exemplary embodiment of the ATM further includes a housing.
• the housing includes a fascia which includes elements of the user interface and which extends through an exterior wall of a structure.
• the ATM housing within the structure includes a secure chest portion in a lower part of the housing.
• the cash accepting mechanism is positioned outside the secure chest and may be moved to expose the opening, provisions are made for minimizing the risk that criminals may access the financial instrument sheets in the chest through the cash accepting opening.
• This is accomplished in the exemplary embodiment by providing a transport which moves financial instrument sheets transported into the chest from the cash acceptor, in a direction transverse to the cash accepting opening in the chest. After moving transversely relative to the cash accepting opening, the sheets are then transported to a note storage mechanism that may be comprised of storage compartments or other mechanisms for handling the sheets.
• a security plate is provided in intermediate relation between the transport which moves the sheets transversely from the opening of the chest, and the note storage mechanism.
• the security plate reduces the ability of a criminal to access stored sheets through the cash accepting opening.
• the driving force for the transport is provided by engagement of a driving member of the cash acceptor mechanism with a driven member through the cash accepting opening. The presence of these members within the opening further obstructs the opening and reduces the risk that a criminal will be able to access stored financial instrument sheets.
• the cash accepting mechanism is provided with a chute for receiving stacks of documents from the user. In the operative position of the cash acceptor mechanism the opening to the chute is controlled by a gate. However, as can be appreciated, it is necessary for the machine to open the gate to enable a user to place or remove sheets from the chute.
• a water capturing opening is provided in a lower surface of the interior of the chute.
• the water capturing opening is operative to capture moisture that may enter the chute and the collected moisture is routed in an exemplary embodiment to a drain to that is in fluid communication with the outside of the machine housing.
• the drain is provided through a lower surface of the fascia.
• a resilient gasket is provided in generally surrounding relation with the chute and interiorly of the fascia.
• the resilient gasket provides a generally fluid tight seal such that water, snow or other elements are not enabled to migrate into the interior of the housing through the opening in the fascia through which the chute extends in its operative position.
• the cash acceptor mechanism is operative to store unacceptable sheets such as suspected counterfeit notes in a suspect note storage area outside the secure chest
• the exemplary embodiment authorized servicers who have access to the area of the housing outside the secure chest are enabled to remove these unacceptable sheets.
• a readily accessible closure device is provided to facilitate the removal of these suspect sheets by authorized persons.
• locking mechanisms may be provided not only for the housing area outside the secure chest, but also a separate locking mechanism for the particular compartment in which the unacceptable sheets are stored.
• the cash acceptor mechanism further includes closure panels which generally surround the components within the mechanism. These closure panels when in the operative position reduce the risk of migration of dirt or other contaminants into the mechanism they also reduce the risk of inadvertent damage to the mechanism when other components are being serviced, hi the exemplary embodiment these closure panels are made readily openable through hinged or sliding arrangements that enable the panels to be opened when the mechamsm is in a servicing position. In exemplary embodiments an approach is used for mounting closure panels to facilitate gaining access to the components of the cash accepting module, while assuring that the panels will be replaced upon completion of any repair activity.
• currency sheets accepted by the cash acceptor mechanism are stored in selected compartments. This enables storing of each type of sheet in a particular compartment, hi some embodiments mechanisms are provided for re-dispensing such sheets from the compartment so as to enable recycling of valid sheets.
• sheets that have been validated by the cash accepting mechanism are stored in one or more storage containers.
• the storage containers include an interior area which is bounded at the lower end by a moveable shaker member. The shaker member supports deposited sheets in the interior area.
• An actuator is in operative connection with the shaker member so as to impart shaking action to the deposited items within the interior of the container. This facilitates the dispersal and settling of the items so as to facilitate storing the maximum number of items in the container.
• the container is removable from the machine.
• the container includes rollable supports and a retractable handle so as to facilitate moving the container out of and away from the machine when it has been filled with deposit items.
• the user interface includes multicolor light emitting devices so as to facilitate a user's operation of the machine.
• the light emitting devices are selectively controlled by at least one controller in the machine to emit light of a selected color responsive to conditions of associated transaction function devices. For example, the controller may operate to guide a user to a location on the user interface where the user is required to perform some activity related to a transaction.
• the light emitting devices selectively emit green, yellow and red and may be operated to indicate a status or condition of a particular device. Alternatively, light emitting devices may flash the same or different colors at varying rates so as to convey information or facilitate use of the machine.
• the user interface of the machine is provided with horizontally disposed convex mirrors positioned vertically above the user interface. Such mirrors are positioned so as to facilitate the ability of a user of the machine to view an area behind and otherwise near the user. This reduces the risk of persons in proximity to the user not being observed by the user carrying out transactions at the machine.
• the exemplary horizontally disposed convex mirrors are further positioned outward relative to a light which illuminates the user interface to facilitate the user's operation.
• FIG. 1 is a front plan view of an ATM fascia of an automated banking machine of an exemplary embodiment.
• Figure 2 is a schematic side view of components within a housing of the ATM shown in Figure 1.
• Figure 3 is a further schematic side view of components within the housing of the ATM shown in Figure 1.
• Figure 10 is a view showing a cross-sectional wave configuration imparted to a sheet through action of the picking member and the non- contacting stripper rolls.
• Figure 11 is a schematic view showing a cash acceptor mechanism moved to a servicing position and exposing the cash accepting opening in an upper portion of the chest of the ATM.
• Figure 12 is a schematic view of the cash acceptor mechanism withdrawn for servicing similar to Figure 11 and with a first embodiment of an access door in an open position for purposes of accessing unacceptable sheets which have been identified through operation of the cash acceptor mechanism.
• Figure 13 is a view of the ATM similar to Figure 12 but with an alternative access mechanism for accessing unacceptable sheets.
• Figure 14 is yet another view of the ATM similar to Figure 12 showing a further alternative mechanism for accessing unacceptable sheets.
• Figure 15 is a schematic view of the cash acceptor mechanism with a first form of service panel shown in an open position for purposes of servicing.
• Figure 16 is a view of the cash acceptor mechanism similar to Figure 15 but with an alternative form of service panels shown in an accessible position.
• Figure 17 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a chute to and from which stacks of sheets are received and removed through the fascia of the machine, and including devices for capturing and draining water which may enter the chute.
• Figure 18 is an external isometric view of the cash acceptor mechanism represented in Figure 17 and including a schematic representation of the drain used for passing water collected in the chute to the outside of the machine.
• Figure 19 is a schematic view representative of a sealing system used in an exemplary embodiment to minimize the risk of contaminants entering the machine through the opening in the machine fascia through which the chute extends in an operative position of the cash acceptor mechanism.
• Figure 20 is a transparent side view of an alternative form of a mechanism for accepting and storing financial instrument sheets that have been processed by the cash acceptor mechanism.
• Figure 21 is an isometric view of the financial instrument holding container shown in Figure 20, moved outside the machine.
• Figure 22 is a schematic view of a light emitting device which is operated to facilitate use of the machine by users.
• Figure 23 is an enlarged view of the light emitting device shown in Figure 22.
• Figure 24 is a schematic view of the light emitting diodes included in the light emitting device.
• Figure 25 is a cross-sectional view of the flexible web which includes the diodes in the light emitting device.
• Figure 26 is an isometric view of the fascia shown in Figure 1 and particularly the mirrors thereon which facilitate a user viewing the area adjacent to them when operating the machine.
• Figure 27 is a schematic top view indicating the area viewable by a user operating the machine.
• Figures 28 through 30 are schematic views of an alternative embodiment of a mechanism for separating sheets from a stack in which one or more stripper devices operate to reorient the sheets relative to one another so as to facilitate picking and separating of the sheets.
• ATM 10 is a through-the-wall type machine which includes a fascia 12. Fascia 12 is accessible to users of the machine who are positioned externally of the wall
• wall 14 may be an exterior building wall and ATM 10 may be used in a walk-up or drive-up environment. In other embodiments the ATM may be used in an indoor environment. Of course this configuration is exemplary and in other embodiments, other types of ATM configurations may be used.
• the exemplary ATM includes a user interface generally indicated 15.
• the user interface of the exemplary embodiment includes input devices for receiving inputs from users. These input devices include a card reader 16, a keypad 18, function keys 20 and an imaging device 22.
• the input devices may be used for providing identifying inputs such as indicia read from cards, numerical data or biometric data which may be used to identify a particular user of the machine and/or their accounts.
• the exemplary input devices are also operative to receive transaction inputs which cause the ATM to carry out selected transaction functions. It should be understood that these input devices are exemplary and in other embodiments other types of input devices may be used.
• the exemplary user interface 15 further includes output devices.
• the output devices of the exemplary embodiment include a display 24, a speaker 26 and a headphone jack 28.
• the output devices of the exemplary embodiment are operative to output indicia either visual, audible or both, which are usable to operate the
• the exemplary ATM 10 further includes other transaction function devices. These transaction function devices include a receipt printer 30 which is operative to provide receipts to users of the machine. As shown in more detail in the interior view of the machine shown in Figure 2, the receipt printer includes a paper supply 32 which supplies paper on which receipts are printed by a printer mechanism 34. Printed receipts are then transported to the receipt opening in the fascia 12 by a transport 36. In exemplary embodiments the receipt printer used may be of the type shown in U.S. Patent No. 5,850,075, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Of course in other embodiments other types of receipt printers maybe used.
• the exemplary ATM 10 includes on the fascia as shown in Figure 1, a cash dispensing opening 38 and a cash accepting opening 40. Each of these openings is in operative connection with corresponding transaction function devices as later discussed, and each has an associated gate mechanism which operates to block access through the opening except at appropriate times during transactions by authorized users, hi the exemplary embodiment the cash dispensing opening is shown controlled by a gate 42 and the cash accepting opening is controlled by a gate 44. It should be understood that the fascia and devices associated with ATM 10 are exemplary and in other embodiments other or different fascia configurations and devices may be used. hi the exemplary embodiment the user interface of the machine includes a plurality of multicolor light emitting devices 17, 31, 41, 43 and 45.
• Each of the light emitting devices is positioned at a location adjacent to the location on the user interface which is associated with a particular transaction function device.
• light emitting device 17 is positioned adjacent to the opening to card reader 16.
• light emitting device 31 is positioned adjacent to the slot for delivery of receipts.
• light emitting device 41 is associated with cash-accepting opening 40
• light emitting device 43 is associated with cash-dispensing opening 38.
• the multicolor light emitting devices are selectively operated to output light of a particular color responsive to conditions of the associated transaction function device. Such features may be used to guide a user in operation of the machine, provide indications concerning the status of devices, alert a user to particular conditions, or provide improved aesthetics for the machine.
• ATM 10 includes a housing 46 which extends generally on an interior side of wall 14.
• Housing 46 includes a chest portion 48.
• chest portion 48 is a generally secure chest which has a safe-like access door 50. Access to the interior of the chest portion is limited to authorized personnel through a suitable locking mechanism schematically indicated 52 (see Figure 3).
• the chest is generally L-shaped in cross section.
• Housing 46 further includes an upper portion 54.
• Upper housing portion 54 which is in connection with the fascia, is in supporting connection with the chest portion 48.
• upper housing portion 54 has in association therewith, access doors 56 and 58. Access to the upper housing portion is controlled by one or more locking mechanisms in operative connection with access doors 56 and 58 as represented by key locks
• ATM 10 includes at least one controller schematically indicated 64.
• controller 64 includes at least one processor and is in operative connection with at least one data store schematically indicated 66.
• data store is operative to hold data representative of instructions such as computer programs, configuration parameters, data about transactions conducted and other information that may be usable in the operation of the ATM 10.
• Controller 64 is in operative connection with numerous transaction function devices within the ATM, and is operative to control the operation thereof in accordance with its programming. Controller 64 is shown schematically in operative comiection with devices 68, 70 and 72. It should be understood that this representation is schematic only and is intended merely to represent numerous components within the machine which are in operative connection with the controller.
• transaction function devices may include moving devices which may be referred to alternatively herein as drives, such as motors, solenoids and other devices that are operative to impart motion to components.
• transaction function devices may include sensors such as radiation sensors, proximity sensors, switches and other types of sensors that are operative to sense items, users, conditions, properties, characteristics or components within the ATM and to enable a controller to perform functions in accordance with its programming.
• Transaction function devices include output devices such as sound emitters and light emitting devices.
• transaction function devices may include the card reader, display, keyboard, function keys, printer, cash dispenser, cash acceptor, storage mechanisms and other devices previously discussed as well as other devices within the machine which are operative in response to the controller.
• the controller is also in operative connection with a communications device schematically indicated 74.
• the communications device is operative to communicate messages electronically between the ATM 10 and other computers in financial transaction processing systems. These may include for example communications with systems operated by banks, credit card networks, automated clearinghouses and other entities.
• the communications device 74 in the ATM 10 is schematically shown as providing communication with a financial institution 76 through a network 78. It should be understood that this communication configuration is exemplary and in other embodiments other communication arrangements may be used.
• U.S. Patent No. 6,505,177 also shows an exemplary communication system for an ATM and the disclosure thereof is incorporated herein by reference. Embodiments may include features of U.S. Patent Nos.
• the housing 46 houses a sheet acceptor mechanism 80 which is also referred to herein as a cash acceptor mechanism.
• the mechanism 80 is operative to accept sheets from a machine user through the opening 40, to analyze each sheet for at least one property or characteristic, and to route the sheets selectively for storage within the housing of the machine based on the characteristics analyzed. It should be understood that in various embodiments these sheets may include currency notes, checks or other financial instrument sheets.
• cash acceptor mechanism 80 includes a chute 82 which extends through opening 40 in fascia 15 in its operative condition.
• the user accessible opening to chute 82 is controlled by a movable gate 44.
• Gate 44 moves responsive to the controller 64 and enables authorized users to access the chute at appropriate times during transaction sequences. In operation of the machine users are enabled to insert a stack of financial instrument sheets schematically indicated 84, into the chute.
• the stack 84 may comprise currency notes, checks or other forms of financial instrument sheets.
• sheets are individually separated from the stack by a picker mechamsm 86, an exemplary embodiment of which is later discussed in detail.
• Each picked sheet is transported individually from the picker mechanism past the validator device schematically indicated 88.
• the validator device 88 of the exemplary embodiment is operative to determine at least one characteristic of each sheet.
• the validating device may be of the type shown in U.S. Patent No. 5,923,415, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Alternatively or additionally a validating device having features disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 6,554,185, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, may be used. Of course in other embodiments other types of validating devices such as imagers, readers, sensors and combinations thereof may be used.
• the sheet accepting device may be operative to image instruments such as checks and provide data which can be stored and transmitted as an electronic reproduction of that check. In such circumstances an electronic reproduction of the check may be transmitted to remote locations so as to facilitate review and validation of the check.
• the electronic representation of the check may serve as a substitute for the physical paper check which thereafter enables the paper check to be cancelled and subsequently destroyed.
• sheets wliich have been analyzed through operation of the validator device 88 are moved through a transport 90 to a routing device 92.
• the routing device is operative responsive to the controller 64 to route sheets selectively to either an escrow device 94 or to a transport 96.
• Escrow device 94 generally operates to hold sheets in storage on a temporary basis. Such an escrow device may be of the type shown in U.S. Patent No. 6,371,368, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. Escrow device 94 may be operative to accept sheets and store them. Thereafter responsive to operation of the controller 64 the escrow device may deliver those sheets to the routing device 92 which directs them along sheet paths in the machine to carry out transactions. Of course it should be understood that the escrow device shown is exemplary and in other embodiments other types of escrow devices may be used. hi the exemplary embodiment transport 96 is used to receive unacceptable sheets which have characteristics that do not satisfy certain parameters set by the machine. These may include for example, notes which have one or more characteristics which suggest that they are counterfeit.
• such sheets may include checks which have properties which suggest that they are reproductions or forged or otherwise unacceptable. Of course in other embodiments other sheets may be deemed unacceptable.
• sheet acceptor mechanism 80 is operated to cause transport 96 to deposit suspect sheets schematically indicated 98 in a storage area 100.
• the suspect sheets are stored within the cash acceptor mechanism and outside of the secure chest so that they may be recovered by servicing personnel in a manner that is later discussed.
• this approach is exemplary and in other embodiments other approaches may be used.
• the cash acceptor mechanism 80 is operative responsive to signals from the controller 64 to cause financial instrument sheets that are determined to be valid or otherwise acceptable, to be directed through a cash accepting opening 102 that extends in an upper surface 104 of the chest.
• the transport in the cash acceptor mechanism is aligned with the cash accepting opening and a transport 108 that extends into the secure chest.
• at least one driving member 110 of the transport 106 is in operative comiection with a driven member 112 of the transport 108.
• the driving and driven members extend in the cash accepting opening so as to block access therethrough by unauthorized persons as later discussed.
• the movement of the cash acceptor mechanism from the operative position to a servicing position may include movably mounting the cash acceptor mechanism such that the mechanism moves both upward away from the secure chest so as to disengage the driving and driven members as well as outward for purposes of servicing.
• movement thereof is made both inward and downward so as to reengage the driving and driven members.
• transport 108 which moves sheets generally in a vertical direction through the cash accepting opening is in operative connection with a horizontal transport schematically indicated 114.
• the horizontal transport is operative to engage sheets moved into the chest portion and to move them transversely away from the cash accepting opening.
• the horizontally extending transport 114 is in operative connection with a vertically extending transport 116 which is transversely disposed from the cash accepting opening in the secure chest.
• Sheet handling mechanisms 118, 120, 122 and 124 may be sheet stacking mechanisms such as those shown schematically in Figures 5 and 6.
• one or more of the sheet handling mechanisms may include sheet receiving and dispensing mechanisms which are operative to selectively accept sheets for storage as well as to dispense sheets therefrom. Examples of sheet accepting and stacking mechanisms as well as sheet accepting, stacking and dispensing mechanisms which may be used in some exemplary embodiments are described in detail in U.S. Patent Nos. 6,302,393 and 6,290,070, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated by reference.
• the exemplary sheet accepting and stacking mechanism 118 is selectively operative to accept a sheet 126 moving in the vertical transport 116.
• Sheet 126 is guided to engage the sheet handling mechanism 118 through movement of a gate member 128.
• the gate member moves responsive to the controller 64 to direct the leading edge of the sheet into a recess 130 of a rotatable member 132.
• the rotatable member 132 rotates in the direction of Arrow R. This causes the gripper portion bounding the recess 130 to move inwardly capturing the sheet 126 therein.
• Stack 138 may be for example a stack of currency notes all of which are of the same denomination. Of course in other embodiments the stack 138 may be a collection of other types of sheets. hi the exemplary embodiment the stack is maintained in abutting relation with the rotatable member by a biasing plate 140 wliich acts against the back of the stack.
• the biasing plate 140 is movable responsive to a biasing mechanism 142 which is operative to enable the stack to increase or decrease while maintaining the sheets in an appropriately aligned position. Further details related to an exemplary embodiment of the sheet handling mechanism are described in the incorporated disclosure of U.S. Patent No. 6,302,393.
• Figure 5 further shows the exemplary operation of exemplary sheet handling mechanisms 118 and 120.
• a sheet 142 moving in transport 116 is enabled to pass the rotatable member 132 when the gate member 128 remains retracted as the sheet passes.
• This enables the sheet to move to other sheet handling mechanisms such as sheet handling mechanism 120.
• This arrangement enables sheets having particular characteristics to be stored together, for example, valid currency notes of different denominations to be collected in stacked relation in selected sheet storage areas.
• a security plate 144 extends within the secure chest in intermediate relation between the horizontal transport 114 and the note storage mechamsm such as the storage area 146 associated with sheet handling mechanism 118.
• the security plate 144 in the exemplary embodiment is secured within the interior of the secure chest and is adapted to prevent unauthorized access through the cash accepting opening 102 in the chest.
• the cash acceptor mechanism is movably mounted in supporting connection with the chest portion on suitable slides or other members.
• the security plate 144 operates to separate the cash accepting opemng 102 from the notes or other valuable financial instrument sheets which are stored below the security plate within the secure chest.
• the security plate is exemplary and other forms of security plates or other structures maybe used, hi an alternative embodiment the ATM includes a bulk storage container 260 shown in Figure 20 for holding currency bills, notes, checks or other items that have been deposited into the machine.
• the container 260 includes a top wall 262 with an opening 264 which corresponds to opening 102 in the chest when the container 260 is in the operative position.
• Container 260 includes a transport 266 which transports items that pass through the opening 264 into an interior area 268 of the container.
• the 270 is operative to move deposited items transversely away from the opening 264.
• a security plate 272 is positioned to reduce the risk of unauthorized access to the interior area 268.
• a further transport 274 is operative to move deposit items such as currency sheet 276 to a suitable location for being dispatched into the interior area 268 below the security plate.
• Deposited items schematically represented 278 are held within the interior area of the container 260.
• the container 260 includes a bottom wall 280.
• the interior area 268 is bounded by a shaker member 282 that is disposed vertically above the bottom wall.
• the shaker member comprises a resilient flexible membrane 284.
• a rigid plate 286 extends in underlying relation of a central portion of the membrane.
• Flexible supports 288 support the rigid plate 286 above the bottom wall 280.
• the flexible supports further enable movement of the rigid plate and membrane relative to the bottom wall
• the rigid supports 288 may include springs or other members which enable relative vertical and/or horizontal movement of the bottom wall and the rigid plate.
• an actuator 290 extends in intermediate relation between the bottom wall and the rigid plate.
• the actuator is an electrical vibrating device which is operative to shake the rigid plate and overlying membrane. The shaking action of the actuator 290 is operative to impart shaking motion to the deposited items 278 that are in supporting connection with the membrane.
• the actuator 290 is electrically connected to the circuitry within the machine through a releasable connector 292. This facilitates removal of the exemplary container as hereafter discussed.
• the moving devices for transports within the container may be supplied with signals and/or electrical power through the releasable connector.
• the actuator 290 operates to impart shaking motion to the deposited items 278 within the interior area. This facilitates settling of the items so as to densely pack the items therein.
• Sensors 294 may be included within the interior area so as to sense the deposited items.
• the controller may be operative to cause the actuator to shake deposited items responsive to the sensing the level of such items by the sensors. Alternatively the controller may be operative to shake deposited items based on elapsed time, number of items deposited, or other programmable bases.
• the sensors 294 may be in operative connection with the controller through the releasable connector 292.
• the exemplary container 260 is removably mounted within the secure chest.
• the exemplary container is supported on reliable supports 296.
• the reliable supports 296 may be castors, wheels, ball rollers or other type items that enable more ready movement of the container in a loaded condition.
• upon opening of the secure chest the container 260 is enabled to moved outward from the chest. This is facilitated by a servicer grasping a handle 298 which is attached to the container.
• the releasable connector 292 is enabled to be disconnected so that the container 260 can be pulled outward from the secure chest.
• the handle 298 is a telescoping handle that is enabled to be moved upward once the handle has cleared the secure chest. This facilitates moving the container outside of the ATM. Thereafter the container may be moved to a suitable location by the handle away from the ATM for purposes of removing the contents. This may be, for example, an area within a vault or other secure room in which the items within the container may be processed.
• the container 260 in the exemplary embodiment includes a door 300. Access to door 300 is controlled by one or more locks represented 302. hi the exemplary embodiment door 300 is shown hinged at a side toward the chest door so as to reduce the risk of persons obtaining unauthorized access to the interior of the container when the container is within the machine.
• the lock 302 maybe unlocked, the door opened, and deposited items removed. After the items have been removed, the door 300 may be returned to the closed position. Thereafter the container may be reinstalled in the machine with the handle 298 being retracted so as to enable the container to again be aligned with opening 102. Further, the releasable connector 292 may be reconnected so as to again enable operation of the container within the machine.
• the exemplary container 260 is enabled to hold a substantial quantity of deposited items. Further, the construction including the reliable supports and telescoping handle facilitates movement of the loaded container out of the ATM and the container into the ATM.
• the container is exemplary and in other embodiments other approaches may be used. These may include, for example and without limitation, containers which include multiple interior areas in which deposited items are supported on shaking members. Such embodiments may achieve, for example, a separation of deposited notes, checks and/or envelopes by denomination or deposit type, and achieve more densely packed storage within a particular interior compartment within the container.
• shaking members may be provided on side walls or on top walls bounding the container so as to facilitate the shaking of deposited items and the packing and storage thereof.
• containers may be used in some embodiments in conjunction with sheet handling mechanisms such that certain sheets are stored precisely positioned in containers for purposes of stacking and/or recycling while other sheets are stored in bulk within a container or compartment within a container. These alternatives are encompassed within the teachings of the present invention.
• Figures 7 through 10 schematically describe a first exemplary embodiment of the picker mechanism 86 used in the cash accepting mechanism 80. i this exemplary embodiment the stack of sheets 84 is positioned in the chute 82 and is in supporting connection with a generally angled lower surface 148.
• Moving members 150 and 152 are operative to engage the stack and selectively rotate responsive to a motor or other drive mechanism in the direction of Arrow P so as to move the stack into generally abutting relation with an engaging surface 154.
• an idler roll 156 Positioned adjacent to the engaging surface 154 in proximity to the lower surface 158 is an idler roll 156 which in this embodiment is a generally free wheeling roll.
• the engagement of the stack 84 of the engaging surface 154 and the face of the roll 156 is generally operative to splay the sheets as shown.
• the picker mechanism 86 further includes a generally cylindrical picking member 158.
• Picking member 158 is rotatable selectively by a motor or other driving member responsive to the controller 64. The picking member during picking operation rotates in the direction of Arrow P as shown.
• Picking member 158 further includes high friction arcuate segments 160 which in the exemplary embodiment serve as sheet engaging portions and which extend about a portion of the circumference of the picking member.
• Picker mechamsm 86 of the exemplary embodiment further includes a plurality of rolls 162 that serve as non-contact stripper rolls in a manner later discussed.
• the picking mechanism further includes a contact stripper roll 164 which biasingly engages the high friction segments 160 of the picking member.
• the picking member is a generally cylindrical member that includes a plurality of annular recesses 166. The outer surface of the non-contact stripper rolls 162 extend into a corresponding annular recess 166, but are generally not in stripping engagement therewith.
• the outer surface of the non-contact stripper rolls 162 are disposed slightly away from the base of the annular recess.
• the outer surface of the non-contact stripper rolls which serve as a first stripper portion are not positioned to be in direct contact stripping engagement with the picking member.
• the surface of such rolls is disposed in close proximity thereto and generally enables only a single sheet to pass between the picking member and the non-contact stripper rolls, the separation of a single sheet from other sheets is generally achieved.
• the non-contact stripper rolls are disposed slightly from the picking member, in other embodiments such rolls or other stripper members may operate to actually contact the picking member but maybe of such resilient consistency or other properties that the rolls are not in a biased contact stripping engagement as is the case with the contact stripper roll 164.
• the contact stripper roll is biased to engage a central sheet engaging portion 168 of the picking member.
• This central sheet engaging portion is generally centered with regard to sheets that are moved by the picker mechamsm 86. This reduces the tendency of sheets to twist or skew as they are being moved in the picker mechamsm.
• this arrangement is exemplary and in other embodiments other approaches may be used.
• the operation of the exemplary picker mechanism 86 is represented in
• the picker mechanism is operative to separate sheets individually from the stack 84. This is done by sequentially picking a first sheet 170 which bounds the lower end of the stack while moving the first sheet in a first direction generally indicated by Arrow F so as to move the sheet away from the stack.
• the controller 64 operates one or more drives such as motors or other moving mechanisms to cause the moving members 150 and 152 to rotate as the picker mechanism 168 similarly rotates in a counterclockwise direction as shown.
• the rotation of the picking member causes the high friction arcuate segments 160 which serve as sheet engaging portions to engage a lower face of the first sheet and pull the sheet in intermediate relation between the picking member and the non-contact stripper rolls 162.
• the idler roll 156 rotates to facilitate the movement of the first sheet between the picking member and the non-contact stripper rolls.
• the non-contact stripper rolls 162 of this exemplary embodiment are in operative connection with a one-way clutch 172 such that the first stripper rolls remain stationary when the first sheet is engaged therewith and moving in the direction of Arrow F. Because the resistance force provided by the non-contact stripper rolls against the face of the sheet engaged therewith is less than the moving force imparted to the opposed face of the sheet, the first sheet 170 is moved into intermediate relation between the picking member and the non-contact stripper rolls.
• This cross-sectional wave configuration is generally operative in combination with the opposing force applied by the non-contact stripper rolls, to separate the first sheet from other sheets that may be moving therewith from the stack.
• the leading edge of the sheet then engages the contact stripper roll 164 which is biased to engage the sheet engaging portions of the picking member.
• the contact stripper roll of this exemplary embodiment is also in operative connection with a one-way clutch 174 such that in this exemplary embodiment the contact stripper roll remains stationary as the first sheet moves in the direction of Arrow F.
• the engagement of the contact stripper roll and the first sheet operates to displace the contact stripper roll so as to enable the sheet 170 to move in intermediate relation between the contact stripper roll and the central sheet engaging portion 168.
• the resistance force of the non-contact stripper roll is generally operative to separate any sheets other than the first sheet 170 from moving in the direction of Arrow F.
• the sensor 176 is positioned adjacent to the contact stripper roll in the exemplary embodiment.
• Sensor 176 is operative to sense the presence of overlapping double sheets adjacent the sensor which may have been able to pass the non-contact and contact stripper rolls. Suitable sensors in some embodiments may be those shown in U.S. Patent Nos. 6,241,244 and 6,242,733, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
• the controller of the machine Upon sensing a double or other multiple sheet the controller of the machine is enabled to make additional attempts to strip the sheet as later discussed. However, in the event that only a single sheet is sensed the picker member 158 continues moving in the counterclockwise direction until the leading edge of the sheet reaches takeaway rolls 178. hi the exemplary embodiment takeaway rolls are operative to engage the sheet and to move the sheet in the cash accepting mechanism toward the validator device
• the exemplary embodiment one rotation of the picking member is generally operative to separate one sheet from the stack.
• the controller of this exemplary embodiment is operative to stop the movement of the picker member 158 in the counterclockwise direction as shown prior to the first sheet 170 being disengaged therefrom. Thereafter the controller is operative to reverse the direction of the picker member 158 and the moving members 150 and 152 so as to move the first sheet back toward the stack.
• the contact stripper roll 164 and the non-contact stripper rolls 162 are enabled to rotate in a counterclockwise direction as shown so as to facilitate the return of the sheets to the stack. Thereafter the controller may operate the picker mechanism 86 to again attempt to pick a single bill. Repeated attempts may be made until a single sheet is separated from the stack so that it may be processed by the cash acceptor mechanism. It has been found that the exemplary embodiment of the picker mechamsm 86 is well adapted for separating various types of financial instrument sheets having different properties.
• sheets such as currency notes that are new or other types of sheets which have generally consistent properties of rigidity and friction from sheet to sheet are separated through the operation of the picker mechanism and the non-contact stripper rolls.
• the contacting stripper roll which subsequently engages the sheets after they have engaged the non-contact stripper rolls is effective in separating sheets that would not otherwise be separated. This may be particularly helpful for example in processing sheets that may include plastic and paper curcency notes, checks or other documents that have significantly variable properties and which are mixed together in a stack from which the sheets must be individually picked.
• some additional features may be included to further help to facilitate the picking of sheets.
• FIGS 28 through 30 show schematically an alternative picker mechanism 350.
• Picker mechanism 350 may be of the type previously discussed, which includes one or more non-contact stripper rolls and contact stripper rolls or other type of arrangement.
• mechanism 350 is schematically shown as a mechanism which includes a picking member 352 and a stripper member 354.
• the picking member and stripper member are cylindrical members, but of course in other embodiments other types and configurations of members maybe used.
• sheets 356 are shown in engagement with the picking member.
• sheets 356 maybe part of a stack of sheets input by a user to the ATM.
• a sheet 358 which bounds the lower end of the stack and which is normally the sheet which is picked therefrom, has its leading edge retracted relative to the direction in which sheets move while being picked relative to an overlying sheet 360.
• the picking member 352 is driven in the picking direction indicated by Arrow J responsive to one or more connected drives 362, the stripper member 354 remains stationary.
• the high friction segment 364 may engage the area of the overlying sheet 360 that is exposed thereto, because it is advanced beyond sheet 358 in the forward direction represented by Arrow K in which sheets move as they are picked from the stack. As a result, both sheets 358 and 360 are moved together from the stack. As sheets 358 and 360 move together, their leading edges eventually come adjacent to sensor 366, as shown in Figure 29. Sensor 366 may be one of the types previously discussed which is operative to sense sheet thickness and in conjunction with one or more controllers is operative to sense conditions where multiple overlapping sheets have been sensed. As with the prior embodiment, when multiple sheets are sensed as having been moved from the stack, the picking member 352 is no longer moved so as to move sheets in the picking direction.
• the controller of the exemplary alternative embodiment Upon sensing multiple sheets adjacent to the sensor 366 the controller of the exemplary alternative embodiment is operative to actuate drive 362 so as to reverse the direction of the picking member 352 from that when picking sheets out of a stack. As shown in Figure 30 and discussed in conjunction with the previously described embodiment, the reversal of direction of the picking member is operative to move the picked sheets in a direction back towards the stack. This is indicated by Arrow L in Figure 30. However in this alternative embodiment, stripper member 354 is driven responsive to a drive 368 in a rotational direction so as to urge sheets
• one or more controllers are operative to control drives 368 and/or 362 so that sheet 360 in direct engagement with stripper member 354 is moved relative to sheet 358.
• sheet 360 is preferably moved so that its leading edge is no longer advanced in the picking direction from the leading edge of sheet 358 wliich bounds the lower end of the stack, hi this way, once both sheets have been retracted beyond the stripping members, one or more subsequent attempts to move the sheets in the stripping direction will cause sheet 358 to be separated individually from the other sheets.
• Several approaches may be taken to moving the sheet 360 which is engaged with the stripper member relative to the sheet 358 which is in engagement with the picking member.
• sheet 358 to be urged by the action of the stripper member to move a distance greater than the distance that the sheet 358 is moved back towards the stack.
• This may be accomplished, for example, by the controller causing drive 368 to begin rotating stripper roll 354 in the counterclockwise direction as shown while picking member 352 and sheet 358 engaged therewith are each held stationary. This may serve to begin moving sheet 360 in the direction of Arrow L without movement of sheet 358.
• the controller in operative connection with sensor 366 may sense that sheet 360 has moved. This may be accomplished by sensing that as stripper roll 354 begins to move, the sheet thickness that is sensed in proximity to the sensor changes from a multiple sheet thickness to a single sheet thickness.
• the controller may begin operating picking member 352 to begin moving sheet 358 back towards the stack.
• the stripper roll may begin moving the overlying sheet engaged therewith prior to any movement to retract the underlying sheet in engagement with the picking member.
• both the stripper and the picking member may move to begin retracting the multiple sheets, and the picking member may stop once or multiple times in the retraction process so as to facilitate the retraction of the overlying sheet
• both the picking member and the stripper members may move simultaneously to cause the sheets to be retracted.
• the stripper members may move so as to urge sheet 360 to move at a higher rate of speed than the underlying sheet 358. hi such embodiments, the overlying sheet 360 will be urged to move a greater distance due to the relatively higher speed of stripper member 354.
• both the picking member and the stripper members may move to retract the sheets relative to the stack, but the stripper member may operate to urge sheets to move back towards the stack for a longer time. Again, this action tends to move the overlying sheet or sheets relative to the underlying sheet found in the stack, and thus reorient the sheets.
• moving members such as the rolls 150, 152 described in connection with the prior embodiment may also be driven responsive to one or more drives in operative connection with a controller.
• the controller may operate such moving members when sheets are being retracted into the stack to coordinate their speed so as to correspond with that of the picking member.
• the controller may operate such moving members when sheets are being retracted into the stack to coordinate their speed so as to correspond with that of the picking member.
• the risk that the sheet 358 bounding the stack will be moved so that its leading edge is retarded relative to an overlying sheet is reduced.
• the moving members which underlie sheet 358 may urge the sheet to move at the same or slightly faster rate than the picking member so as to urge sheet 358 to be reoriented so that overlying sheets are not removed from the stack along with the sheet bounding the stack.
• the contact stripper rolls may operate through use of a one-way clutch while the non-contact stripper rolls may be driven so as to change the relative positions of sheets.
• the relative movement may be imparted by an orienting roll such as roll 156, which may in some embodiments be used to perform at least part of the stripper function. Additional sensors may also be provided in some embodiments to help determine if the desired relative movement of overlapping sheets has been achieved.
• these approaches are exemplary, and in other embodiments other approaches may be used.
• the exemplary embodiment of ATM 10 comprises a through-the-wall type machine in which the fascia is exposed to the elements. As a result, rain and snow may impact on the fascia and in the absence of suitable measures may enter the machine. As can be appreciated the cash accepting opening 40 in the fascia must be sufficiently large to accept the chute 82 which holds a stack of documents 84 as previously discussed. During transactions when an authorized user indicates that they wish to insert the stack of sheets into the chute, the gate 44 must be opened which results in exposure of the chute to the elements.
• the exemplary embodiment includes the capability to capture and direct from the machine moisture which may enter the chute.
• the approach used in the exemplary embodiment is represented in Figures 17 through 19.
• the lower surface of the chute 148 includes at least one water accepting opening 180 therein.
• the water accepting opening comprises one or more troughs which extend transversely across the lower surface of the sheet.
• the fluid accepting openings are in fluid connection with a conduit schematically represented 182 which is in fluid comiection with a drain 184 which delivers the water outside the ATM.
• the trough 180 is in operative connection with a fluid fitting 184 which connects to a generally flexible fluid conduit 182 such as a tube.
• the conduit 182 connects to the drain 184 which in the exemplary embodiment includes a cavity at a lower side of the fascia and which includes openings through which the water may drain to the outside of the machine housing.
• a tube support 186 is positioned to control the direction of the tube and assure drainage when the cash acceptor mechanism is in the operative position as well as when the cash acceptor mechanism is in a service position such as is shown in Figure 12.
• the tube support mimmizes the risk of the fluid conduit being crimped or otherwise assuming a position which prevents the drainage of water from the interior of the chute to the outside of the machine. It should be understood, however, that the approach shown is exemplary and in other embodiments other approaches may be used.
• provision is made to minimize the risk of moisture entering the ATM in the area of the cash accepting opening through which the chute 82 extends in the operative position of the cash acceptor mechanism 80.
• a resilient gasket 188 extends in surrounding relation of the chute 82 in the area adjacent to the fascia. The resilient gasket is supported on a front face of the cash acceptor mechanism.
• the resilient gasket is positioned in sandwiched fluid tight relation between the front face of the cash acceptor mechanism and the interior face of the fascia. As the seal provided by the gasket extends in surrounding relation of the chute, the risk of moisture or other contaminants entering the ATM through the cash acceptor opening is minimized.
• the cash acceptor mechamsm 80 in response to operation of the validator device 88 and the controller 64 determines at least one characteristic indicative of whether financial instrument sheets are acceptable to the machine.
• unacceptable sheets may be suspect sheets such as potentially counterfeit notes, invalid checks or other unacceptable documents.
• a storage area 100 which in the exemplary embodiment is within the cash acceptor mechanism and outside the chest portion.
• the flip-down access door 192 may be opened only when the cash acceptor mechanism 80 has been moved rearward to extend outside of the housing subsequent to opening access door 58. i some embodiments the flip-down access door may be provided with a locking mechanism 194 such as a key lock or other suitable locking mechanism.
• a locking mechanism 194 such as a key lock or other suitable locking mechanism.
• FIG. 13 shows yet a further alternative for accessing sheets in the storage area 100.
• an opening 196 is provided through the storage area so as to enable access to the sheets therein. Access through opening 196 is provided to a sliding door 198.
• Door 198 is operative to slide along the direction of Arrow S in opposed tracks, slots or other suitable mechanisms for holding and guiding the door in supporting connection with the cash acceptor mechanism.
• door 198 may include a locking mechamsm 200.
• Locking mechanism 200 may be a suitable key, combination or other locking mechanism for assuring that only authorized personnel are enabled to access the documents in the storage area.
• door 198 may be both unlocked and opened without having to retract the cash accepting mechamsm rearward. In some embodiments this may serve to speed servicing and the removal of invalid sheets from the machine.
• Figure 14 shows yet another exemplary embodiment for accessing sheets in the storage area 100.
• an opening 202 is provided in a rear face of the cash accepting mechanism 80. Access to opemng 202 is controlled by a door
• door 204 is a sliding door adapted to be selectively moved in tracks, slots or similar devices.
• a suitable locking mechanism schematically indicated 206 is used to assure that only authorized personnel have access to the door, i the embodiment shown in Figure 14, a transport 208 is provided for moving the sheets in the storage area 100 to the service personnel through the opening 202.
• a transport 208 may be operative in response to provided to input devices by the servicing personnel or may be automatic responsive to the opening of the door 204.
• all of the approaches shown are exemplary and in other embodiments other approaches may be used.
• suspect notes or other documents are correlated with particular transactions conducted at the machine and/or with particular users of the machine.
• the suspect documents in storage may be arranged in a particular order and the controller is operative to provide one or more outputs such as through a screen or a printer indicating the transactions and/or users which conespond to the suspect sheets.
• the controller is operative to provide one or more outputs such as through a screen or a printer indicating the transactions and/or users which conespond to the suspect sheets.
• provisions may be made for the cash acceptor mechamsm to be in operative connection with a printer which prints transaction and/or user identifying information on each of the suspect sheets.
• This may include for example, visible or non- visible indicia, hi some embodiments the indicia may be removable such as removable labels or indicia that can be washed off or otherwise removed or neutralized, hi other embodiments the characteristics determined by the validator may be such that the data is sufficiently detailed and of types that create a unique electronic profile of each suspect sheet.
• This data can be stored at the machine in a data store through operation of the controller or elsewhere in a connected data store.
• This sheet identifying data may then later be used by a servicer or other persons recovering or analyzing the suspect sheets to correlate each sheet with the transaction and/or user that provided the sheet to the machine. This may be done in some embodiments by putting the machine controller in a mode for such analysis and feeding each suspect sheet through the cash acceptor mechanism.
• the controller may then operate to correlate the stored data related to the transaction and/or user with the stored data that uniquely identifies the sheet. Such information is then provided to a user of the machine recovering the sheets. Alternatively, such analysis may be conducted by transferring data away from the machine along with the suspect sheets, and conducting the analysis at another validator.
• these approaches are exemplary of approaches that may be used to uniquely identify a suspect sheet and associate it with a user and/or a transaction.
• the exemplary embodiment positions the cash acceptor mechamsm in intermediate relation between a vertically extending wall of the generally L-shaped chest and the wall of the housing to provide enhanced security, it also presents challenges for servicing. While the ability of the exemplary embodiment to move the cash acceptor mechanism rearward through a service opening of the ATM facilitates servicing, problems are still potentially presented by the need to have to remove cover panels and the like. Further, there is always a risk that cover panels, once removed, will not be replaced resulting in infiltration of contaminants to the cash acceptor mechanism and causing malfunctions or failures. To reduce the risk of service persons not replacing service panels, the exemplary embodiments of the invention are made to minimize the risk that service panels will be removed and not replaced.
• a side service panel 210 is mounted in hinged relation in supporting connection with the cash acceptor mechanism. This enables the service panel 210 to be opened once the cash acceptor mechanism has been moved rearward from the machine. This enables ready access to the components within the machine.
• the front service panel 212 is mounted in hinged relation adjacent the front of the cash acceptor mechanism. This front service panel enables access to components accessible through a front opening of the cash accepting mechamsm. As can be appreciated because of the hinged character of service panels 210 and 212, the panels may be readily opened. However, the hinged mounting makes it difficult for a technician to entirely remove the panels from the machine. Further the cash acceptor mechanism cannot be returned to service without closing the service panels.
• FIG 16 shows yet a further schematic view of an alternative approach to providing service panels on the cash acceptor mechanism 80 that provide protection for internal components and yet can be readily removed for servicing, hi the embodiment shown in Figure 16, service panels 214 and 216 are provided such that they can move in the direction indicated by the adjacent arrows. Service panels 214 and 216 in the exemplary embodiment are mounted in channels, slots or other suitable devices on the cash acceptor mechanism for guiding and holding the panels in position.
• service panel 214 maybe entirely removed exposing the components of the cash acceptor mechanism without moving the cash acceptor mechamsm from the operative position.
• Service panel 216 which may include the front face supporting the resilient gasket, may be made more readily removable by moving the gasket relative to the chute.
• the ability to remove service panels may be particularly useful in situations where a service person needs to observe the cash acceptor mechanism in operation in order to diagnose and remedy certain problems. In some embodiments it may be desirable to include devices to assure that the service panels 214 and 216 are reinstalled on the cash acceptor mechanism after servicing procedures are completed.
• contact switches such as the contact switch schematically represented as 218 to sense when the service panels have been placed back in position.
• Such contact switches may limit the operation of the cash acceptor mechanism until such panels are replaced.
• the circuitry within the ATM may cause an alarm or other indication to be given or may disable operation of the currency acceptor mechanism if the access doors to the upper housing are closed and the service panels have not been returned to their operative position.
• other approaches may be used. As can be appreciated, the arrangements of service panels shown in Figures
• the presenter mechanism is operative to receive sheets dispensed by the picker mechanisms and to move the sheets upward through the transport 246 to accumulate the sheets into a stack schematically indicated 250. After the desired sheets have been accumulated, the presenter mechanism is operative to move the stack toward the cash dispensing opening 38 while the controller is operative to open the cash dispensing gate 42. This enables the stack of sheets to be dispensed to a user of the machine. It should be understood that while in the exemplary embodiment the cash dispensing mechanism 220 has been described as dispensing various denominations of currency notes, in other embodiments the cash dispensing mechanism may dispense other types of sheets.
• the user Responsive to prompts through the output devices, the user provides inputs indicating that they wish to conduct a transaction involving the dispense of notes or other types of sheets, and the amount, nature or character of the sheets that the user has requested. Responsive to the inputs from the user the controller 64 is operative to cause the cash dispenser mechanism 220 and the picker mechanisms located therein to deliver the requested sheets to the presenter mechanism 248, which is operative to accumulate the requested sheets into a stack 250. Once the sheets are accumulated, the sheets are moved outward to the user as the gate mechanism is opened. Hereafter the controller operates to cause the value of the dispensed cash or other sheets to be charged to the user's account.

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• 2004
  • 2004-04-19 CA CA2542159A patent/CA2542159C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2004-04-19 ES ES04817314T patent/ES2375193T3/es not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2004-04-19 BR BRPI0415256A patent/BRPI0415256B1/pt active IP Right Grant
  • 2004-04-19 EP EP04817314A patent/EP1673740B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2004-04-19 MX MXPA06003766A patent/MXPA06003766A/es unknown
  • 2004-04-19 PL PL04817314T patent/PL1673740T3/pl unknown
  • 2004-04-19 WO PCT/US2004/012271 patent/WO2005041135A1/en active Application Filing

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