U.S. patent application number 09/891921 was filed with the patent office on 2002-01-10 for self-service terminal.
This patent application is currently assigned to NCR Corporation. Invention is credited to Kallin, Fredrik L.N., Peebles, John A..
Application Number | 20020003163 09/891921 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 9895132 |
Filed Date | 2002-01-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020003163 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Peebles, John A. ; et
al. |
January 10, 2002 |
Self-service terminal
Abstract
A media escrow unit (24) is provided for use in dispensing or
depositing media. The escrow unit (24) is arranged in use with a
media removal path (42) leading from a media receptacle (32), and
communicating with a media return path (44) leading to the media
receptacle. In use, media may be removed from the receptacle (32)
and passed through media validation sensors (20, 22) before being
returned to the receptacle (32). The media may then either be
presented from the escrow unit (24) to a user, or passed via the
media removal path (42) to a media storage location, depending on
the outputs obtained from the media validation sensors (20, 22),
and the actions of the user. Also provided is a self-service
terminal incorporating such an escrow unit; and methods of
dispensing or depositing media.
Inventors: |
Peebles, John A.; (Dundee,
GB) ; Kallin, Fredrik L.N.; (Waterloo, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Michael Chan
Intellectual Property Section
Law Department, NCR Corporation
1700 South Patterson Blvd.
Dayton
OH
45479-0001
US
|
Assignee: |
NCR Corporation
|
Family ID: |
9895132 |
Appl. No.: |
09/891921 |
Filed: |
June 26, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
235/379 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07D 11/14 20190101 |
Class at
Publication: |
235/379 |
International
Class: |
G06F 017/60 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 7, 2000 |
GB |
0016596.9 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of depositing media, the method comprising the steps
of: receiving media to be deposited in a media receptacle; removing
the media from the media receptacle; returning the media to the
media receptacle via a media validation pathway; determining
whether the deposited media is to be accepted; and transferring
media from the media receptacle to accepted media storage.
2. A method of dispensing media, the method comprising the steps
of: picking media to be dispensed from one or more media storage
locations; passing the media via a media validation pathway to a
media receptacle; determining whether the media is to be dispensed;
and presenting dispensed media directly from the media receptacle
to a user.
3. A media escrow unit comprising: a media receptacle for receiving
media; a media removal path leading from the media receptacle; a
media return path leading to the media receptacle; and means for
transferring media from the media receptacle to the removal path;
in use, the media removal path being in communication with the
media return path.
4. A media escrow unit of claim 3, wherein the media transfer means
includes a media picker.
5. A media escrow unit of claim 3, wherein the media transfer means
includes means for removing media from the media receptacle to a
first location, and means for transferring media from the first
location to the media removal path.
6. A media escrow unit of claim 3, wherein the media receptacle is
movable, to selectively bias media against the media transfer
means.
7. A media escrow unit of claim 3, wherein the media receptacle is
movable to a position to allow receipt or presentation of
media.
8. A self-service terminal comprising: a media escrow unit
including (i) a media receptacle for receiving media, (ii) a media
removal path leading from the media receptacle, (iii) a media
return path leading to the media receptacle, and (iv) a media
picker for transferring media from the media receptacle to the
media removal path; means for validating media; and accepted media
storage; the media removal path selectively communicating with both
the media return path and the accepted media storage such that a
first media flow path lies along the media removal path, through
the means for validating media, to the media return path, and a
second media flow path lies along the media removal path to the
accepted media storage.
9. A self-service terminal of claim 8, further comprising one or
more media dispense units for dispensing media, with a media flow
path leading from the dispense unit or units, passing through the
means for validating media, to the media return path.
10. A self-service terminal of claim 8, wherein the accepted media
storage includes means for dispensing stored media to a media flow
path, the flow path leading to the media return path.
11. A method of depositing media, the method comprising the steps
of: receiving media to be deposited in a media receptacle; removing
media from the media receptacle; returning media which has been
removed from the media receptacle back to the media receptacle via
a media validation pathway; determining whether media which has
been returned to the media receptacle is acceptable; and
transferring media from the media receptacle to accepted media
storage to deposit the media when a determination is made that the
media is acceptable.
12. A method of dispensing media, the method comprising the steps
of: picking media to be dispensed from at least one or media
storage location; passing picked media via a media validation
pathway to a media receptacle; determining whether media in the
media receptacle is to be dispensed; and presenting media directly
from the media receptacle to dispense the media to a user when a
determination is made that the media is to be dispensed.
13. A media escrow unit comprising: a media receptacle for
receiving media; means defining a media removal path leading from
the media receptacle; means defining a media return path leading to
the media receptacle; and media transfer means for transferring
media from the media receptacle to the media removal path which is
connected in communication with the media return path when the
media escrow unit is in use.
14. A media escrow unit of claim 13, wherein the media transfer
means includes a media picker.
15. A media escrow unit of claim 13, wherein the media transfer
means includes means for removing media from the media receptacle
to a first location, and means for transferring media from the
first location to the media removal path.
16. A media escrow unit of claim 13, wherein the media receptacle
is movable, to selectively bias media against the media transfer
means.
17. A media escrow unit of claim 13, wherein the media receptacle
is movable to a position to allow receipt or presentation of
media.
18. A self-service terminal comprising: a media escrow unit
including (i) a media receptacle for receiving media, (ii) means
defining a media removal path leading from the media receptacle,
(iii) means defining a media return path leading to the media
receptacle, and (iv) a media picker for transferring media from the
media receptacle to the media removal path; validating means for
validating media; accepted media storage; and means for enabling
the media removal path to selectively communicate with the media
return path and the accepted media storage such that (i) a first
media flow path lies along the media removal path and passes
through the validating means to the media return path, and (ii) a
second media flow path lies along the media removal path to the
accepted media storage.
19. A self-service terminal of claim 18, further comprising at
least one media dispense unit for dispensing media along a media
flow path which leads from the dispense unit and passes through the
validating means to the media return path.
20. A self-service terminal of claim 18, wherein the accepted media
storage includes means for dispensing stored media to a media flow
path which leads to the media return path.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a self-service terminal
(SST) such as an automated teller machine (ATM), and to a method of
operating an SST. In particular, embodiments of the invention
relate to an ATM in which deposited or dispensed media may be held
in escrow while the media is validated.
[0002] Self-service terminals (SST) are commonly used for
conducting a range of financial transactions. Chief among these is
the dispensing of banknotes or other media. A number of SSTs also
have the facility to accept deposits of media. However, before a
media deposit can be accepted by an SST, the media is preferably
first validated, to ensure that the media deposited is genuine, and
is in an acceptable format; if the media fails validation, it may
be returned to the user. Further, if a user cancels a deposit
transaction part-way through, any media deposited should also be
returned to the user.
[0003] Ideally, any returned media should be the same media as was
deposited; particularly if there is a validation failure. The
preferred mechanism of accommodating this is to provide SSTs with
an escrow facility: deposited media is held in escrow pending
validation or confirmation of the transaction; only once it has
been confirmed that the deposit is to be accepted will the media
leave the escrow unit for the media deposit safe. Escrow units may
also be applied to media dispensing: a bundle of banknotes to be
dispensed may be held in escrow pending confirmation of the
transaction and validation of the dispensed currency; if the
transaction is not to proceed, the notes may be transferred from
the escrow unit to a reject note bin.
[0004] Common methods of providing escrowing include stacker wheel
re-bunching and roll escrows. However, both of these occupy a
relatively large amount of space, and roll escrows can be
expensive. It is also necessary to provide separate transport for
the media between the user interface and the escrow unit, so
further increasing the space requirements and cost of such
escrows.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] It is among the objects of embodiments of the present
invention to obviate or alleviate these and other disadvantages of
existing escrow systems. This is achieved, in part, by providing a
compact escrow unit which may be fitted in the path of the normal
media deposit/dispense route, so eliminating the need for a
separate escrow transport mechanism.
[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a method of depositing media, the method comprising the
steps of:
[0007] receiving media to be deposited in a media receptacle;
[0008] removing the media from the receptacle;
[0009] returning the media to the media receptacle via a media
validation pathway;
[0010] determining whether the deposited media is to be accepted;
and
[0011] transferring accepted media from the media receptacle to
accepted media storage.
[0012] The present invention thus provides a method which provides
for receipt of a deposit in a media receptacle, and then validated
and returned to the same receptacle pending acceptance; the
receptacle can thus act as its own escrow unit so obviating the
requirement to provide additional space for a separate escrow
unit.
[0013] Preferably the media is received through a media deposit
port of a self-service terminal (SST).
[0014] The step of removing the media from the receptacle may
comprise the step of transferring individual media items directly
from the receptacle to the media validation pathway. Preferably,
however, the method comprises the separate steps of removing the
media from the receptacle; and then transferring individual media
items to the media validation pathway. Preferably the media items
are transferred by being picked individually onto the validation
pathway. Suitable friction and vacuum pick mechanisms are known in
the art. Conveniently, where a pick mechanism is employed, the
media is biased against the pick mechanism; more preferably, the
receptacle is arranged to bias the media against the pick
mechanism.
[0015] Preferably the step of returning the media to the media
receptacle via a media validation pathway comprises the step of
validating the media. Conveniently this is achieved by passing the
media by or through means for validating media, which may be
disposed in the validation pathway. The media validation means may
comprise a note thickness sensor (NTS), to determine whether single
or multiple notes have been picked. The validation means may
additionally or alternatively comprise means for identifying media,
to identify the denomination or value of deposited media; and/or
means for detecting media forgery, to determine whether or not
genuine media have been deposited. Such media validation means are
known in the art.
[0016] The step of determining whether the deposited media is to be
accepted may comprise the steps of identifying any media failing
validation, and not accepting a deposit containing failed media.
The acceptance determination step may alternatively or in addition
comprise the step of requesting a user to confirm the deposit. For
example, the user may be informed of the value of the deposit as
determined by the means for validating media, and asked to confirm
this value; if the user disagrees with the validation, they may
cancel the transaction at this stage.
[0017] The step of transferring accepted media to accepted media
storage preferably comprises the step of moving the media along at
least part of the media validation pathway. It is preferred that
the route to the media storage branches off the route of the media
validation pathway; thus, space and expense is reduced by having a
unitary media pathway over much of the length of both the media
validation and media storage routes. The common part of the route
may include some or all of the means for validating media, to
reconfirm the acceptability of the media. The transfer step may
therefore further comprise the step of validating the media.
[0018] The method may further comprise the step of transferring
accepted media to one of a plurality of different accepted media
storage locations. For example, banknotes of different
denominations may be transferred to different media storage
locations. This is particularly preferred if deposited media may be
re-issued from the SST during a later transaction. If this is the
case, then it is preferred that the media is revalidated before
entering media storage; alternatively, the sequence of
denominations of deposited media may be recorded from the initial
pass through the validation pathway, and the media sorted
appropriately.
[0019] The method may further comprise the step of returning
non-accepted media to a user. Preferably the media is returned
through a media return port of an SST. Most conveniently, the media
return port also serves as the media deposit port. Alternatively,
non-accepted media may be transferred to a rejected media storage
location.
[0020] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a method of dispensing media, the method comprising the
steps of:
[0021] picking media to be dispensed from one or more media storage
locations;
[0022] passing the media via a media validation pathway to a media
receptacle;
[0023] determining whether the media is to be dispensed; and
[0024] presenting dispensed media directly from the receptacle to a
user.
[0025] Preferably the method further comprises the step of: if the
media is not to be dispensed, transferring the media from the media
receptacle to a rejected media storage location.
[0026] Preferably the transfer step comprises the step of moving
the media along at least part of the media validation pathway.
[0027] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a media escrow unit, the unit comprising:
[0028] a media receptacle for receiving media;
[0029] a media removal path, leading from the media receptacle;
[0030] a media return path, leading to the media receptacle;
and
[0031] means for transferring media from the receptacle to the
removal path;
[0032] in use, the media removal path being in communication with
the media return path.
[0033] The escrow unit of the present invention may be used in
implementing the other aspects of the present invention, as will be
described.
[0034] Conveniently, the media transfer means may comprise a media
picker, such as a vacuum pick or a friction pick unit; or the
transfer means may comprise means for removing media from the
receptacle to a first location, and means for transferring media
from the first location to the media removal path.
[0035] Preferably the unit further comprises means for biasing
media against the media transfer means. Conveniently the media
receptacle may be adapted to bias media against the media transfer
means. Preferably the receptacle is movable, to selectively bias
media against the media transfer means. Alternatively, the biasing
means may comprise a spring-urged plate or the like, arranged to
urge media against the transfer means.
[0036] Conveniently the receptacle is movable to a position to
allow receipt or presentation of media. Alternatively, the unit may
comprise means for allowing receipt or presentation of media to or
from the receptacle; for example, rollers, guides or conveyors.
[0037] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a self-service terminal (SST), the SST comprising:
[0038] a media escrow unit comprising a media receptacle for
receiving media; a media removal path, leading from the media
receptacle; a media return path, leading to the media receptacle;
and a media picker for transferring media from the receptacle to
the removal path;
[0039] means for validating media; and
[0040] accepted media storage;
[0041] the media removal path selectively communicating with both
the media return path and the accepted media storage such that a
first media flow path lies along the media removal path, through
the means for validating media, to the media return path, and a
second media flow path lies along the media removal path to the
accepted media storage.
[0042] Preferably the SST further comprises one or more media
dispense units for dispensing media, with a media flow path leading
from the dispense unit or units, passing through the means for
validating media, to the media return path.
[0043] Conveniently the accepted media storage further comprises
means for dispensing stored media to a media flow path, the flow
path leading to the media return path.
[0044] Preferably the SST further comprises rejected media
storage.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0045] These and other aspects of embodiments of the present
invention will now be described by way of example only and with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0046] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a self-service terminal
(SST) including a media escrow unit, in accordance with one
embodiment of the present invention;
[0047] FIG. 2 shows an escrow unit as used in the SST of FIG. 1 in
the process of receiving a media deposit; and
[0048] FIG. 3 shows the escrow unit of FIG. 2 in the process of
dispensing media.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0049] Referring first of all to FIG. 1, this shows a schematic
diagram of a self-service terminal (SST) in the form of an
automated teller machine (ATM), which includes an escrow unit, and
provides a media recycling facility--that is, deposited media may
subsequently re-dispensed to a user; this is a very useful
facility, as it tends to increase the average time between
replenishments of the ATM.
[0050] The ATM 10 presents a number of modules to a user, the
majority of which are not shown here; for example, a smart card
reader, a display screen, a numeric keypad, and the like. A media
entry/exit slot 12 is shown, through which a user may deposit or
withdraw banknotes.
[0051] Within the body of the ATM 10 are included a number (in this
case, three) of currency dispense cassettes 14, each of which is
stocked with a number of banknotes of a particular denomination.
Also shown in the figure are three accepted media storage bins 16,
for containing deposited banknotes of different denominations, and
a single rejected media storage bin 18, for containing rejected
media deposits and dispenses.
[0052] The ATM 10 further includes two note thickness sensors 20, a
media validation/identification module 22, and an escrow unit 24
disposed adjacent the media entry/exit slot 12.
[0053] A series of arrows and lines within the ATM 10 identified by
the letters A to E indicate possible flow paths for media such as
banknotes to follow.
[0054] The broad operation of the ATM 10 will now be described.
[0055] When a user wishes to deposit banknotes into the ATM 10,
they insert a bundle of notes through the media entry/exit slot 12
into the escrow unit 24. The notes are stripped from the escrow
unit by a bill picker, and fed singly into the media flow path at
portion A. Passing into portion B, the notes pass through the note
thickness sensor 20 and validation/identification module 22, which
together determine whether the notes are single or multiple, and
the denomination and validity of the notes. Passing along sections
C and D of the flow path, the notes return to the escrow unit 24.
Thus, the deposited notes have now been verified and validated, and
are in the original deposit location.
[0056] The ATM 10 then asks the user to confirm their deposit: it
may also indicate the value of the deposit as calculated by the
validation/identification module 22. If the user wishes to cancel
the deposit, or if the ATM 10 found invalid notes amongst the
deposit, the notes will be returned to the user through the media
entry/exit slot 12. In this way the user receives the same notes as
they deposited. If the deposit is confirmed, the bill picker again
passes the notes singly along paths A and B, where the note
thickness is again checked by detector 20, and the notes once more
identified by identification module 22. The notes are then passed
along the appropriate branch of path C, into the correct accepted
media storage bin 16.
[0057] When a user wishes to withdraw banknotes from the SST, the
procedure is somewhat similar. The required quantity of notes are
removed from the appropriate currency cassettes 14, along path E,
where they join the main note path at B. The note thickness sensor
20 confirms that the notes have been removed singly from the
cassettes 14, and the notes are passed along path C. If the ATM 10
is recycling deposited notes, some notes may be removed from the
two uppermost storage bins 16 to join the media flow, by a
conventional note pick arrangement; in this case the notes are
again checked for thickness by the second note thickness sensor 20,
before passing along path D to the escrow unit 24. The ATM 10 will,
in practice, monitor the number of notes held in each storage bin
16, so that the need to dispense fresh notes rather than recycled
notes can be anticipated.
[0058] If the notes have been determined as correct by the
thickness sensors 20, the bundle of notes may be presented to the
user through slot 12 for dispensing; if however there is a problem
with the notes, the whole contents of the escrow unit 24 can be fed
along paths A, B and C of the media transport path, and dumped into
reject bin 18, for later verification by a human operator. The ATM
10 will then attempt to dispense a fresh set of banknotes to the
user.
[0059] The operation of the escrow unit 24 as used with the ATM of
FIG. 1 will now be described. Note that in FIGS. 2 and 3, for
convenience the escrow unit has been shown in a horizontal
orientation, rather than the angled orientation illustrated in FIG.
1.
[0060] FIG. 2 shows the sequence of operation of such an escrow
unit when accepting a media deposit. Referring first of all to FIG.
2a, in this can be seen a media receptacle 32, containing a bundle
of banknotes 34 which has been deposited through media entry slot
12. A shutter 38 has opened to allow a user access to the
receptacle 32. A friction pick mechanism 40 is located at the
underside of the escrow unit, leading to a media removal path 42; a
media return path 44 leads back into the escrow unit. The media
removal and return paths 42, 44 are in communication as described
above with reference to FIG. 1. The escrow unit also provides four
distinct positions in which the receptacle 32 may be located,
denoted by the letters W to Z, being, in general terms, in forward,
central, rear and top positions. However, it will be clear to those
of skill in the art that the invention may be implemented moving
only the banknotes, and not the receptacle.
[0061] FIG. 2a shows the receptacle 32 in the forward position W.
Once the banknotes 34 have been deposited, the shutter 38 closes
the entry slot 12, while the receptacle 32 moves to the rear
position Y (FIG. 2b). A note stripper 46 is used to remove the note
bundle 34 from the receptacle, leaving the bundle in the central X
position, in contact with the note picker 40. The stripper 46 is in
the form of a pair of vertical legs inserted through apertures (not
shown) in the base of the receptacle 32. With rearward movement of
the receptacle towards position Y, the legs hold the note bundle 34
stationary, so removing the notes from the receptacle.
[0062] The note stripper 46 is removed, and the receptacle 32 moved
from rear position Y to the top position Z, where the receptacle 32
bears down upon the bundle of banknotes 34, biasing the note bundle
34 against the note picker 40 (FIG. 2c).
[0063] The notes are then picked from the bundle 34 one at a time,
and sent through the media removal path 42, via note thickness
sensors and a validation unit as described, to the media return
path 44, and back into the receptacle 32 (FIG. 2d). A flexible
rubber flicker wheel 48 adjacent the entrance to the receptacle 32
ensures that the returning banknotes enter the receptacle 32
individually and correctly.
[0064] Once all the notes have returned to the receptacle 32, the
ATM will then determine, as has been described, whether or not the
deposit is acceptable. If the deposit is not accepted (FIG. 2e),
the shutter 38 opens, while the receptacle 32 containing the
rejected notes 34 moves to the forward position W, so presenting
the notes to the user for retrieval. However, if the notes are
accepted (FIG. 2f), the notes are once more stripped from the
receptacle 32, the receptacle 32 moves to the top position Z, and
the notes are picked by picker 40 and sent along media removal path
42 to the accepted note storage bins 16 of the ATM, as described
above.
[0065] The method of dispensing banknotes is shown in FIG. 3. This
makes use of the same escrow unit as illustrated in FIG. 2.
[0066] Firstly, as shown in FIG. 3a, the receptacle 32 is located
in the central position X. Banknotes 34 are picked from currency
dispense cassettes in the body of the ATM, as previously described,
and passed through the note thickness sensors along the media
return path 44 into the receptacle 32 (FIG. 3b).
[0067] If the note thickness sensors detect no problems with the
dispensed notes 34, the shutter 38 opens and the receptacle 32 is
moved into the forward position W, to present the note bundle 34 to
the user for collection (FIG. 3c).
[0068] If however there is a problem with the notes, or the user
does not take the presented bundle, the notes 34 are stripped from
the receptacle 32, which moves to the rear position Y (FIG. 3d);
the receptacle 32 is then moved to the top position Z, to bias the
note bundle 34 against the pick mechanism 40 (FIG. 3e), and the
notes picked and passed along the note removal path 42 into the
rejected note bin.
[0069] It can be seen that the present invention therefore provides
an escrow mechanism whereby notes may be held in escrow pending
verification, and either deposited, purged, dispensed, or returned
to the user as appropriate, using only a single media entry/exit
slot, and so providing a relatively compact mechanism
* * * * *