WO2018178928A1

WO2018178928A1 - Protection of an automatic teller machine

Info

Publication number: WO2018178928A1
Application number: PCT/IB2018/052191
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael Donald Robson
Original assignee: Michael Donald Robson
Priority date: 2017-03-29
Filing date: 2018-03-29
Publication date: 2018-10-04
Also published as: EP3601710A4; WO2018178930A1; EP3601710A1; EP3601710B1; ZA201906384B

Abstract

This invention relates to the protection of an automatic teller machine (hereinafter an ATM) (10) against unauthorised access, tampering or attempted unauthorised access. There is provided a protective system including a house (12), a door (16) which provides access to the housing or to an interior of the housing and at least one banknote containing cartridge (20) which is insertable into or which engaged with the housing with the cartridge then being locatable at an operative position. A sensing arrangement which produces an output signal upon detecting at least one of the following : unauthorised movement of the cartridge from the operative position (28); irregular door movement (40); or wherein the control unit, in response to the output signal, initiates actuation of the mechanism.

Description

PROTECTION OF AN AUTOMATIC TELLER MACHINE FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the protection of an automatic teller machine (hereinafter an ATM) against unauthorised access, tampering or attempted unauthorised access.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As used herein the word "ATM" includes an automatic teller machine, a conventional safe, a protected enclosure, a safe, a cashbox, a strong room, a cubicle or any equivalent device used for the safeguarding of valuables.

Money dispensing machines such as ATMs are subject to attack by the use of increasingly aggressive means. For example the use of cutting torches, angle grinders and the like is fairly standard. Explosives have also been used to blast a path open into an interior of an ATM.

Protective measures adopted for an ATM must still allow for access to the ATM in a user-friendly manner so that persons can legitimately use the facilities of the ATM. Armouring systems and high-level protection arrangements can interfere with this access. One approach to the problem has been to position a container, filled with dye, inside a cassette which contains bank notes. The cassette is located inside an ATM and in use can interact with the ATM, in a conventional manner, to obtain cash in the form of bank notes which are dispensed from the cassette. When an attack on an ATM takes place the container is caused to break. This can be due to a Shockwave which is generated by an explosive attack on the ATM i.e. a so- called "passive system" or, alternatively, a sensing arrangement detects an attack and then initiates some mechanism which causes the container to break i.e. a so- called "active system". In the latter case it is known to inject pressurised gas into the container to cause it to burst and thereby release its contents, i.e. the dye or ink. A small explosive charge inside the container could also be ignited. This will cause pressure inside the container to build up rapidly and cause the container to break. It is important that, when the container breaks, the dye in the container should be dispersed so that effectively each banknote is marked with the dye over a substantial part of the surface area of the banknote.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is an object of this invention to provide a protective system for an automatic teller machine. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a protective system for use with an automatic teller machine (ATM) which includes a housing, a door which provides access to the housing or to an interior of the housing and at least one banknote containing cartridge which is insertable into or which is engaged with the housing with the cartridge then being locatable at an operative position, the protective system including a mechanism which is actuable to cause a banknote traceability substance to contact banknotes in the cartridge, a control unit, and a sensing arrangement which produces an output signal upon detecting at least one of the following:

unauthorised movement of the cartridge from the operative position;

irregular door movement; or

wherein the control unit, in response to the output signal, initiates actuation of the mechanism.

A sensor e.g. a latch may be associated with the door. If the latch is not released prior to door movement taking place then, according to one form of the invention, such door movement, is regarded as an "irregular door movement". Although this example is preferred it is by no means limiting.

Unauthorised movement of the cartridge from the operative position may occur if the cartridge is moved when the door is closed, or if the cartridge is moved when the door is open but irregular movement of the door has occurred. The mechanism for applying the banknote traceability substance may be of any suitable kind. Preferably the substance is an indelible dye which is applied to the banknotes so that the marking of the banknotes takes place actively. The banknote traceability substance may be a pressurised liquid. For example, the banknote traceability substance, in the form of a liquid dye, may be sprayed onto the banknotes using any appropriate technique.

The control unit may be operable to arm, or disarm, the mechanism. For example in use of the ATM the control unit may be operable to arm the mechanism once the cartridge has, in an authorised and regular manner, been placed in the operative position and has been there for a pre-determined time period e.g. of the order of ten minutes (this is exemplary and non-limiting). In this respect "arming" means that the mechanism will be actuated in response to unauthorised cartridge movement from the operative position, or irregular door movement, i.e. to an extent which leads to the production of the output signal, unless prior disarming has taken place due to a supervisory function of the control unit. In other words actuation of the mechanism can only occur if it has previously been armed. The mechanism cannot be actuated if it is in a disarmed state. The arming, or disarming, of the mechanism can be done directly or indirectly in different ways. Preferably, however, the mechanism is armed by means of an algorithm executed by the control unit which allows an actuating signal to be generated by the control unit and to be transmitted to the mechanism. Conversely, the actuating signal cannot be generated nor transmitted to the mechanism if the algorithm has executed a disarming routine.

It is preferred that the mechanism includes a frangible container which contains the banknote traceability substance e.g. a liquid indelible dye, and an explosive charge which, when fired, breaks the container. The explosive charge may be one of a plurality of charges at different positions inside the container or may be otherwise exposed to the container. In a preferred embodiment the explosive charge is distributed i.e. it extends over a substantial portion of the length of the container and, preferably, is inside the container. It is alternatively possible to spray the dye, from the container using a pressurised gas source which is injected into, or produced inside, the container, in response to the output signal. With this approach a seal on the container is broken when the pressure inside the container is raised sufficiently and an outlet from the container for the dye to a spray or reticulation system is thereby formed.

In general terms therefore, during normal operation of an ATM, the mechanism for applying or deploying the banknote traceability substance is armed so that if irregular door movement occurs, or if unauthorised cartridge movement takes place, the substance is automatically applied to the banknotes. The dispensing of banknotes from the ATM can only legitimately take place if the mechanism is armed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One embodiment of the invention is described below by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a block diagram representation of an ATM which includes a protective system according to the invention; illustrates schematically a mechanism for applying a banknote traceability substance to banknotes in a cartridge; shows details of a mechanism, according to a preferred embodiment, for applying a banknote traceability substance to banknotes in the cartridge; and Figure 4 is a flow chart depicting a sequence of steps which could occur during operation of the ATM.

DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT

Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings schematically illustrates, an ATM 10 which includes a housing 12 which encloses an interior 14 with access to the interior being provided by a door 16. A cartridge 20 is positioned inside the housing 12. The cartridge may be directly mounted inside the housing 12 or it may be positioned inside an enclosure 22 (shown in dotted lines) which is located inside the housing. These aspects are exemplary only and are non-limiting. Typically the cartridge 20 includes a tray 23 in which a plurality of banknotes 24 are stacked, one against the other.

In normal use of the ATM 10 the banknotes 24 are dispensed, as needed, to a user using known techniques. A system 26 is provided for protecting the banknotes 24. The system 26 includes at least one position sensor 28 which is used to detect when the cartridge 20 is at a pre-determined or operative position within the housing 12 or the enclosure 22, as the case may be. For example the cartridge 20 may carry a magnetic component 32 which is only brought into register with a component 34 of the position sensor 28 when the cartridge 20 is at the pre-determined or operative position. In this way the relative position of the cartridge to the component 34 is detectable. Similarly, if the cartridge 20 is moved away from the pre-determined position, the components 32 and 34 are no longer in register with each other and the sensor 28 produces a responsive output signal 28A.

The system 26 includes a magnetic latch 36 which is coupled to the door 16 to produce a signal which is dependent on the position of the door relative to the housing 12. The use of the latch 36 is exemplary only for any door position- responsive device could be employed in place of the latch.

The system 26 further includes a position sensor 40 e.g. a magnetic switch which produces a signal 40A in response to movement, or to the position, of the door 16. The signals 28A and 40A, which are produced respectively by the cartridge position sensor 28 and the door position sensor 40, are applied to a control unit 42 which functions in accordance with a pre-determined protocol, described hereinafter. The control unit 42 also receives an input signal from a timer 44.

The system 26 also includes a mechanism 50 for dispensing or deploying a banknote traceability substance 52 under certain pre-defined conditions. The substance 52, when released from a container 54, is directed onto the banknotes 24 and then marks the banknotes in an indelible and permanent way.

An alarm enunciator 54 which sounds an audible signal, or generates a visual signal, or both, is connected to the control unit 42.

Figure 2 illustrates an exemplary mechanism 50A which includes a pressure source 56 and a reservoir or container 58 which contains a banknote traceability substance such as liquid dye or glue 60. The pressure source 56 may comprise a reservoir of gas or liquid under pressure, or a piston and cylinder mechanism, or an equivalent device which, when actuated, is capable of expelling liquid from the reservoir 58. The pressure source 56 may for example be an explosive material which, when actuated, pressurizes the substance 60 inside the reservoir 58. When this occurs the substance 60 is directed, as is indicated by an arrow 64, into a space 66 above the banknotes 24 and, in this way, the substance 60 is discharged under pressure onto the banknotes 24 thereby indelibly marking or staining the banknotes.

Figure 3 illustrates a preferred mechanism 50B positioned in the enclosure 22 above a cartridge 20 filled with stacked banknotes 24. The mechanism 50B includes one or more frangible containers 74 each of which is made from a suitable plastics material. Each container 74 is filled with a liquid indelible dye 76 and, additionally, explosive material 78 is exposed to the liquid dye 76. The material 78 may comprise an elongate distributed explosive charge 80 or alternatively, a plurality of individual charges 82 which are spaced from one another, and which are positioned inside the container 74, exposed to the liquid dye 76. A control lead 84 leads to the explosive material 78, extending through a plugged spout 86 and, when an actuating or fire signal 88 is impressed on the control lead, the explosive material 78 (i.e. charge 80 or the charges 82) is detonated. The resulting internal pressurization of the container 74 causes the container 74 to burst or rupture and the liquid dye content 76 is dispersed under pressure directly onto the banknotes 24. Figure 4 illustrates in flow chart form a preferred operating sequence of the protective system 26. The door position sensor 40 is used (stage 100) to determine whether the door 16 is open or closed. This approach is adopted while the cartridge 20 is being loaded, legitimately, (i.e. in an authorized manner) into the housing 12 or into the enclosure 22, as the case may be. The cartridge position sensor 28 (stage 102) detects this event. If the cartridge 20 is not correctly loaded this is detected by the control unit 42 which then causes the enunciator 54 to generate an audible or visual alarm (104) to alert an operator to the situation. If the cartridge 20 is correctly loaded and the door 16 is then closed and then remains closed for a period in excess of, say, ten minutes (stage 106) then the mechanism 50 is armed (108) by means of a signal 108A (see Figure 1 ) from the control unit 42. The mechanism 50 remains in the armed condition until legitimately disarmed, as is explained hereinafter. While the mechanism 50 is in the armed state the banknotes 24 can be dispensed, in accordance with normal operating procedures (1 10), from the cartridge 20, to users of the ATM. Dispensing of the banknotes from the cartridge 20 is not permitted, in terms of normal operating procedures of the ATM unless the mechanism 50 is armed.

As indicated hereinbefore "arming" means that an activating signal, generated by the control unit can be transmitted to the mechanism 50B to fire the explosive material 78. The position sensor 28 constantly monitors the position of the cartridge 20 relative to the component 34. If the cartridge 20 is moved (1 12) then the control unit 42 determines whether a prior disarm signal 108B (Figure 1 ) had been applied to the mechanism 50 (step 1 14). If so, no further action is taken and the sequence of events is assumed to be legitimate i.e. allowable. Typically, at this stage (120) and under these conditions the cartridge 20 must be replaced with a fresh cartridge which contains a full complement of banknotes 24. A new cartridge can be inserted (step 121 ) into the housing enclosure 22 and, once the cartridge position sensor 28 has determined that the cartridge 20 is at the operative location, the aforementioned process can be re-initiated.

The control unit 42 logs the generation and time of generation of each arm signal 108A, and of each disarm signal 108B - these signals are shown in Figure 7. Returning to the stage 1 14 if a disarm signal 108B had not previously been generated then this is detected by the control unit 42 and the control unit 42 then generates a signal 42A (Figure 1 ) which is applied to the mechanism 50B and which, referring to the example shown in Figure 3, constitutes the firing signal 88 which causes the explosive charge (80, 82) within the container 74 to be initiated (1 16). Dye is then expelled under pressure from the fractured cartridge and the underlying banknotes 24 are indelibly marked with the dye. In Figure 1 the arm signal 108A and disarm signal 108B are notionally shown as being applied or sent to the mechanism 50. As noted though when an arm signal 108A has been generated the control unit 42 is capable of generating, and transmitting the actuating signal 42A. Conversely, when a disarm signal 108B has been produced the control unit 42 is not capable of generating and transmitting the actuating or fire signal 42A.

In a legitimate sequence of operations the mechanism 50B is, as noted, armed at a stage 108 once the door has been closed for, say, ten minutes. The door position sensor 40 constantly monitors the position of the door 16. If the door is opened this is immediately detected. In order for the door 16 to be opened legitimately, i.e. in a regular fashion, it is a requirement of the protocol exercised by the control unit 42, via a custom constructed algorithm that the magnetic latch 36 must be disengaged or switched off, as the case may be, before the door 16 is opened. Thus if the door position sensor 40 detects (stage 124) that the door has been opened then, in one mode, a determination 126 is made to establish whether the latch 36 has been previously actuated. If this is not the case then the control unit 42 sends a firing signal (42A; 88) to the mechanism 50B and the banknote traceability substance is released (1 16) onto the banknotes.

On the other hand if the latch 36 has previously been actuated then a determination is made (returning again to stage 1 14) to establish whether an earlier disarm signal 108B had been generated by the control unit 42. If so, the cartridge 20 can be removed as appropriate. If not a firing signal (42A; 88) is sent to the mechanism 50B by the control unit 42 and the mechanism 50B is actuated (1 16) to disperse the banknote traceability substance 52 onto the banknotes. In a second mode, if the cartridge 20 is moved then the door position sensor 40 is used to determine whether the door 16 is open or not. If the door is closed then the mechanism 50 is actuated (stage 1 16). If the door is open, then the determination 126 takes place to establish whether the latch 36 is open or closed. The various operations which are carried out during the sequence of steps in the flow chart in Figure 4 mean the following:

If the cartridge 20 is moved and the door 16 has not previously been opened, the banknotes are stained. This type of situation would occur if the housing 12 is attacked or penetrated without opening the door 16. If the door 16 is opened and the magnetic latch 36 has not been previously actuated a firing signal (88) takes place. In other words if the cartridge 20 is moved from the operative position, or if an attempt is made to move the cartridge 20 from the operative position and a disarm signal 108B has not previously been generated then the mechanism 50B is actuated. The fire signal 88 is also generated if the door 16 is opened without the latch 36 having previously being actuated.

Claims

1 . A protective system for use with an automatic teller machine (ATM) which includes a housing, a door which provides access to the housing or to an interior of the housing and at least one banknote containing cartridge which is insertable into or which is engaged with the housing with the cartridge then being locatable at an operative position, the protective system including a mechanism which is actuable to cause a banknote traceability substance to contact banknotes in the cartridge, a control unit, and a sensing arrangement which produces an output signal upon detecting at least one of the following:

unauthorised movement of the cartridge from the operative position;

irregular door movement; and

2. A system as claimed in claim 1 in which a sensor is attached to a latch of the door to sense unauthorised movement of the door if the sensor is not activated and/or the latch is not opened prior to movement of the door.

3. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which unauthorised movement of the cartridge from the operative position occurs if the cartridge is moved when the door is closed, or if the cartridge is moved when the door is open but irregular movement of the door has occurred.

4. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the mechanism for applying the banknote traceability substance is an indelible dye which is applied to the banknotes so that the marking of the banknotes takes place actively.

5. A system as claimed in claim 4 in which the banknote traceability substance a pressurised liquid.

6. A system as claimed in claim 5 in which the banknote traceability substance, in the form of a liquid dye, is sprayed onto the banknotes.

7. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the control unit is operable to arm, or disarm, the mechanism.

8. A system as claimed in claim 7 in which the control unit is operable to arm the mechanism once the cartridge has, in an authorised and regular manner, been placed in the operative position and has been there for a predetermined time period.

9. A system as claimed in claim 8 in which arming of the mechanism means that the mechanism will be actuated in response to unauthorised cartridge movement from the operative position, or irregular door movement.

10. A system as claimed in claim 9 in which an author's cartridge movement or irregular door movement leads to the production of the output signal, unless prior disarming has taken place due to a supervisory function of the control unit.

1 1 . A system as claimed in claim 10 in which actuation of the mechanism can only occur if it has previously been armed.

12. A system as claimed in any one of claims 10 or 1 1 in which the mechanism cannot be actuated if it is in a disarmed state.

13. A system as claimed in one of claims 7 to 12 in which the arming, or disarming, of the mechanism can be done directly or indirectly.

14. A system as claimed in claim 13 in which the mechanism is armed by means of an algorithm executed by the control unit which allows an actuating signal to be generated by the control unit and to be transmitted to the mechanism.

15. A system as claimed in claim 14 in which the actuating signal cannot be generated nor transmitted to the mechanism if the algorithm has executed a disarming routine.

16. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the mechanism includes a frangible container which contains the banknote traceability substance.

17. A system as claimed in claim 16 in which the bank note traceability substance is a liquid indelible dye, and in which the mechanism includes an explosive charge which, when fired, breaks the container.

18. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the explosive charge is one of a plurality of charges at different positions inside the container.

19. A system as claimed in claim 18 in which the explosive charge extends over a substantial portion of the length of the container and is inside the container.

20. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which a spray means sprays the dye, from the container using a pressurised gas source which is injected into, or produced inside, the container, in response to the output signal.

21 .A system as claimed in claim 20 in which a seal on the container is broken when the pressure inside the container is raised sufficiently and an outlet from the container for the dye to a spray or reticulation system is thereby formed.

22. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which, during normal operation of an ATM, the mechanism for applying or deploying the banknote traceability substance is armed so that if irregular door movement occurs, or if unauthorised cartridge movement takes place, the substance is automatically applied to the banknotes.

23. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the dispensing of banknotes from the ATM can only legitimately take place if the mechanism is armed.