U.S. patent application number 12/177985 was filed with the patent office on 2008-11-13 for dispensing of currency.
This patent application is currently assigned to Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.. Invention is credited to Gregory Jantsch.
Application Number | 20080277406 12/177985 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25520608 |
Filed Date | 2008-11-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080277406 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jantsch; Gregory |
November 13, 2008 |
Dispensing of Currency
Abstract
Among other features, a cash dispenser includes a paper path
arranged between an opening in a money box through which currency
can be withdrawn for dispensing to a customer at a dispensing
location that is spaced apart from the opening in the money box,
the paper path including rotational shafts arranged to transfer the
currency, and a housing that supports the paper path and is
configured to receive the money box, the housing comprising at
least two parallel spaced-apart molded side walls, the paper path
having a third molded wall between the two parallel molded side
walls.
Inventors: |
Jantsch; Gregory; (Gulfport,
MS) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FISH & RICHARDSON PC
P.O. BOX 1022
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55440-1022
US
|
Assignee: |
Delaware Capital Formation,
Inc.
Wilmington
DE
|
Family ID: |
25520608 |
Appl. No.: |
12/177985 |
Filed: |
July 23, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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10269851 |
Oct 9, 2002 |
7407090 |
|
|
12177985 |
|
|
|
|
09973186 |
Oct 9, 2001 |
7387236 |
|
|
10269851 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
221/1 ;
221/208 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65H 2511/13 20130101;
B65H 2511/242 20130101; B65H 2701/1912 20130101; G07F 19/20
20130101; B65H 2511/13 20130101; B65H 2511/212 20130101; G07D
11/237 20190101; B65H 2511/212 20130101; B65H 2511/242 20130101;
G07D 7/183 20170501; G07D 11/12 20190101; B65H 7/12 20130101; B65H
2511/13 20130101; G07F 19/203 20130101; B65H 2511/524 20130101;
B65H 2220/11 20130101; B65H 2220/01 20130101; B65H 2220/03
20130101; B65H 2220/03 20130101; B65H 2553/612 20130101; B65H
2220/01 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
221/1 ;
221/208 |
International
Class: |
B65H 29/00 20060101
B65H029/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 8, 2002 |
US |
PCT/US02/32177 |
Claims
1. Apparatus comprising: a bill dispenser having a dispensing
location at which bills are to be delivered to users; a bill
storage chamber having a withdrawal end from which bills are to be
withdrawn and driven along a paper path toward the bill dispenser;
a skew detector positioned at the withdrawal end of the bill
storage chamber, the skew detector including circuitry to determine
the timing of the passage of currency along the paper path; and a
controller to initiate a jam recovery routine based at least in
part on the timing.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a double detect
mechanism positioned downstream of the skew detector to detect
double bills that have been withdrawn from the chamber.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the skew detector includes
optical sensors arranged along a direction at an angle to the
direction of the paper path.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the skew detector also detects
a length of the bill.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the double detect mechanism
comprises a free end of an elongated finger configured to be moved,
when the bill is driven along the paper path, by a distance that
corresponds to a thickness of the bill, and a pair of inductively
coupled elements that are configured to be moved relative to one
another by motion of the elongated finger to detect the distance
that corresponds to the thickness of the bill.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bill storage chamber
comprises a removable cassette that is withdrawn from the dispenser
in a direction away from the paper path.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bill storage chamber
comprises a removable cassette and the paper path lies between the
bill storage chamber and the dispensing location so that the paper
path prevents the bill dispenser from being removed from the side
of the side of the apparatus that faces the dispensing
location.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bill storage chamber is
offset below the bill dispenser.
9. A method comprising: feeding a bill from a withdrawal end of a
bill storage chamber and along a paper path toward a dispensing
location at which bills are to be delivered to users; determining
the timing of the passage of the bill along the path; and
initiating a jam recovery routine based at least in part on the
determined timing.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the determined timing is
provided by a skew detector.
11. The method of claim 9, further comprising detecting a jam based
on an amount of time for the bill to clear a skew detector.
12. The method of claim 9, wherein a jam is assumed to be likely
based on the determined timing.
13. The method of claim 9, wherein initiating the jam recovery
routine comprises completing the transaction during which the jam
occurred.
14. The method of claim 9, further comprising detecting the
presence of a double bill.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the decision to initiate the
jam recovery routine is made without regard to detecting whether
the bill comprises a double bill.
16. The method of claim 14, wherein detecting the presence of a
double bill comprises pushing a free end of an elongated finger by
an amount that corresponds to the thickness of the bill; and by
electromagnetic coupling determining the amount by which the free
end is pushed.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein pushing of the free end causes
rotation of the finger about an axis.
18. The method of claim 16, wherein the amount by which the free
end is pushed is determined by relative rotation of two inductively
coupled elements.
Description
[0001] This is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority
from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/269,851, filed Oct. 9,
2002, which is a continuation-in-part and claims the benefit of
priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/973,186, filed on
Oct. 9, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,387,236, issued Jun. 17, 2008,
and which claims the benefit of priority from PCT application
number PCT/US02/32177, filed on Oct. 8, 2002, for DISPENSING
CURRENCY, Gregory Jantsch, inventor, which are incorporated here in
their entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] This invention relates to dispensing of currency. Currency
dispensers are found, for example, in automatic teller machines
(ATMs), including those for so-called off-premises use (for
example, at an airport, grocery store, or other location not
controlled by a financial institution).
[0003] A typical currency dispenser includes a removable money box
called a cassette. A stack of currency is loaded into the cassette
and then delivered to and loaded into the dispenser.
[0004] The dispenser receives signals from control circuitry in the
ATM when a user asks for cash. The signals could, for example,
instruct the dispenser to dispense $300 in $20 bills to the
user.
[0005] The dispenser includes paper transporting mechanisms that
remove the needed number of bills from the money box, one after
another. Each removed bill is fed along a paper path to a position
at which the bill is ejected to the outside world, where the user
can reach it. The dispenser then signals the control circuitry in
the ATM that the needed number of bills has been dispensed.
[0006] The sheets of currency that are stacked in the money box
sometimes stick together and cannot be easily separated for
dispensing. So-called double detection devices are provided in
dispensers to detect when more than one paper bill has been removed
from the stack. The multiple bills are then discarded into a second
money cassette for later pickup, rather than being dispensed to the
user.
[0007] A typical currency dispenser is constructed of metal pieces,
shafts, and bearings that are assembled by a lengthy sequence of
steps.
SUMMARY
[0008] In general, in one aspect, the invention features a method
that includes (a) withdrawing currency from a stack of bills for
dispensing to a customer, (b) prior to dispensing, detecting a
thickness of the withdrawn currency by pushing a free end of an
elongated finger by an amount that corresponds to the thickness of
the withdrawn currency, and (c) by electromagnetic coupling,
determining the amount by which the free end of the elongated
finger is pushed.
[0009] Implementations of the invention may include one or more of
the following features. The pushing of the free end of the
elongated finger is done by passing the currency between the finger
and a stationary element. The finger is biased to press the
currency against the stationary element. The currency is driven
across the stationary element after it has been withdrawn from the
stack of bills. The currency is driven across the stationary
element by passing it through a nip between two rollers, the nip
being spaced above the stationary element. The pushing of the free
end causes rotation of the finger about an axis. The amount by
which the free end is pushed is measured by relative rotation of
two electromagnetically coupled elements.
[0010] In general, in another aspect, the invention features an
apparatus that includes (a) a passage through which currency can be
driven, (b) a free end of an elongated finger configured to be
moved, when the currency is driven through the passage, by a
distance that corresponds to a thickness of the currency, and (c) a
pair of coupled elements that are configured to be moved relative
to one another by motion of the elongated finger to detect the
distance that corresponds to the thickness of the currency.
[0011] Implementations of the invention may include one or more of
the following features. The passage comprises a supporting surface
and a space next to the supporting surface. The movable element
comprises one or more fingers projecting into the passage. The
fingers have free ends that project generally in the direction in
which the currency is driven. The movable element is biased towards
a side of the passage. The movable element is connected to the
rotational element. The rotational element is spring loaded to bias
the movable element. The rotational element comprises a shaft and
paddles connected to the shaft. The paddles are configured to be
generally parallel to the stationary element. The shaft of the
rotational element is generally perpendicular to the stationary
element.
[0012] In general, in another aspect, the invention features a
method that includes (a) withdrawing currency from a stack of bills
for dispensing to a customer, (b) prior to dispensing, detecting a
thickness of the withdrawn currency by causing relative rotation
between two electromagnetically-coupled elements by an amount that
corresponds to the thickness of the withdrawn currency.
[0013] In general, in another aspect, the invention features a
double detect mechanism for a cash dispenser that includes (a) a
passage through which currency can be driven after it is withdrawn
from a money box, (b) a finger that lies in the passage and is
configured to be moved, when the currency is driven through the
passage, through a distance that corresponds to the thickness of
the currency, (c) a rotational shaft connected to be rotated when
the finger is moved, the rotational shaft bearing paddles, and (d)
a circuit board bearing an electromagnetic element that
cooperatives with the paddles to measure the amount of rotation of
the rotational shaft.
[0014] In general, in another aspect, the invention features
apparatus that includes a paper path arranged between an opening in
a money box through which currency can be withdrawn for dispensing
to a customer at a dispensing location that is spaced apart from
the opening in the money box, the paper path including rotational
shafts arranged to transfer the currency, and a housing that
supports the paper path and is configured to receive the money box,
the housing comprising at least two parallel spaced-apart molded
side walls, the paper path comprising a molded wall or walls
between the two parallel molded side walls.
[0015] Implementations of the invention may include one or more of
the following features. The molded side walls and the third molded
wall comprise separate pieces. A molded top wall is configured to
support electromechanical drive elements. A bottom wall is also
molded. Plastic snap-in bearings are mounted on the parallel side
walls and configured to support ends of the rotational shafts. The
opening in the money box is at one end of the housing, the
dispensing location is at an opposite end of the housing, and the
paper path comprises a substantially linear path between the
opening in the money box and the dispensing location. A
double-detect mechanism is mounted on the paper path at the money
box opening. The double-detect mechanism includes a rotating
element that is electromagnetically coupled to a detector on a
stationary element.
[0016] In general, in another aspect, the invention features (1) a
currency dispenser comprising a substantially linear paper path
arranged between (a) an opening in a money box through which
currency can be withdrawn and (b) a dispensing location at which
the currency can be dispensed to a customer, the paper path
comprising rotational shafts arranged to transfer the currency, (2)
a housing configured to support the paper path to receive the money
box, the housing including two parallel spaced-apart molded side
walls, a third molded side wall between the two parallel molded
side walls, a molded top wall configured to support
electromechanical drive elements, and a molded bottom wall, the
five walls being separate pieces, (3) plastic snap-in bearings
mounted on the parallel side walls and configured to support ends
of the rotational shafts, and (4) a double-detect mechanism mounted
on the paper path at the money box opening, the double-detect
mechanism comprising a rotating element that is electromagnetically
coupled to a detector on a stationary element.
[0017] In general, in another aspect, the invention features a
method that includes (not necessarily in this order): (a) using
fasteners to assemble two parallel side walls and a paper path wall
between the two parallel side walls to form a housing of a currency
dispenser, (b) attaching plastic bearings to the two side walls to
mount currency drive shafts across the paper path wall between the
two side walls, and (c) attaching a double-detect mechanism on the
paper path.
[0018] Implementations of the invention may include one or more of
the following features. Fasteners are used to assemble the top and
bottom walls as part of the housing. The fasteners comprise metal
screws. No more than three fasteners are used to assemble the
mating edges of each pair of the walls.
[0019] In general, in another aspect, the invention features
apparatus that includes (a) a molded linear path having a flat
supporting surface for currency being driven from a money box at
one end of the path to a dispensing location at the other end of
the path, (b) a pattern of static electricity grounding elements
arranged along the path, and (c) coupling features configured to
enable mounting of the path between two side walls of a housing of
a currency dispenser. The grounding elements comprise braided wire
and metal lugs. The pattern of grounding elements comprises spacing
the grounding elements at small enough spacing to dissipate static
charge. A double-detect mechanism is mounted on the paper path.
Curved surfaces at opposite ends of the flat supporting surfaces
are configured to direct currency from the money box onto the
linear paper path and from the linear paper path to the dispensing
location.
[0020] In general, in another aspect, the invention features
determining the presence or absence of a flaw in currency being
dispensed to a customer, routing the currency either to a
dispensing location or to a retention location depending on the
detected presence or absence of the flaw, and causing the currency
to be routed by default to the retention location in the absence of
a determination that a flaw is not present.
[0021] Implementations of the invention may include one or more of
the following features. The flaw comprises a double bill, or the
bill may be too thick. The routing is done by a movable mechanical
element in which a series of bills is dispensed one after another,
and the default routing is applied only to the first bill in the
series after which the remaining bills in the series are routed by
default to the dispensing location, unless one of those remaining
bills is also determined to be flawed.
[0022] In general, in another aspect, the invention features
apparatus that includes a double detect mechanism on a paper path
of a currency dispenser, and a skew detector upstream of the double
detect mechanism along the paper path.
[0023] Implementations of the invention may include one or more of
the following features. The skew detector includes optical sensors
arranged along a direction at an angle to the direction of the
paper path and timers configured to determine the timing of the
passage of currency along the path relative to the optical sensors.
The skew detector also detects a length of the currency. The skew
detector is also used for automated jam detection based at least
one of the timers exceeding a predetermined period for the bill to
clear the sensors.
[0024] In general, in another aspect, the invention features a
method comprising feeding a bill along a paper path toward a
location at which the bill is to be dispensed, optically detecting
a skew condition of the bill at a skew sensing location along the
path, and after the skew condition has been detected, detecting the
presence of a double bill at a location downstream of the skew
sensing location.
[0025] Other advantages and features will become apparent from the
following description and from the claims.
DESCRIPTION
[0026] FIG. 1 is schematic perspective view of a currency path
through a currency dispenser.
[0027] FIG. 2 is a side view of a portion of a currency dispenser
that defines a paper path.
[0028] FIG. 3 is an isometric view looking at the side of the paper
path mechanism that faces the inside of the dispenser.
[0029] FIG. 4 is a front view of a double-detect mechanism.
[0030] FIG. 5 is an isometric view looking toward the back and one
side of the dispenser.
[0031] FIG. 6 is a view of one side of the dispenser.
[0032] FIG. 7 is a front view of the dispenser looking toward the
inside of the back wall.
[0033] FIG. 8 is a view of the other side of the dispenser.
[0034] FIG. 9 is a view of the back side of the dispenser.
[0035] FIG. 10 is a view of the front of the dispenser.
[0036] FIG. 11 is an isometric view of the front and one side of
the dispenser.
[0037] FIG. 12 is a side view of a money cassette.
[0038] FIG. 13 is a three-dimensional view of a bill thickness
detector.
[0039] As shown in FIG. 1, in a currency dispenser 10, individual
paper bills 12 are withdrawn one at a time from an opening 14 of a
money box 16 (where a supply of bills is stored) and delivered
along a linear paper path 18 to a dispensing location 20 for access
by a customer.
[0040] As shown in FIG. 12, the bills are stored in a stack 22
inside of the money box and are peeled one at a time from the stack
by the rotation of frictional rollers 23, 25 mounted on two
parallel shafts 26, 27. As each bill is peeled from the stack it is
driven over a curved surface 29 inside the money box so that, when
it leaves the money box at opening 14, the bill is oriented
perpendicularly to its orientation in the stack.
[0041] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the withdrawn bill is then driven
along the paper path 18 by three pairs of frictional rollers 30,
32, 34 that are mounted on three parallel shafts 38, 40, 42
arranged along the length of the paper path. Each of the rollers
cooperates with an idling nip roller 46, 47, 49 to grip the bill
and drive it along the paper path.
[0042] At the lower end of the paper path a curved surface 48
diverts the bill to a direction of motion that is perpendicular to
the direction in which the bill leaves the money box.
[0043] At the upper end of the paper path, the traveling bill can
either be diverted by a curved surface 50 into a rejected bill
collection box 52 (FIG. 1) or by a curved surface 54 (FIG. 2) to
the dispensing location 20. Which way the bill travels depends on
the position of a control vane 56 that can be rotated (about an
axle 53) between two positions. The vane is spring-biased to a
default position that rejects bills into the collection box and
must be driven to the dispensing position. (The default routing is
applied only to the first bill in the series after which the
remaining bills in the series are routed by default to the
dispensing location, unless one of those remaining bills is also
determined to be flawed.)
[0044] A bill that is diverted to the dispensing location is driven
out of the paper path by a fourth pair of frictional rollers 58
(mounted on a shaft 60) and nip rollers. A bill that is diverted to
the collection box is driven by rollers 34 and by a fifth pair of
frictional rollers 63 (mounted on a shaft 65) and nip rollers 67. A
sixth pair of frictional rollers 69 (mounted a on shaft 71) and nip
rollers 73 drives the bill past the curved surface 48 as it is
withdrawn from the money box.
[0045] As shown also in FIGS. 4 and 13, the bottom end of the paper
path supports a double-detect mechanism 70 that is used to
determine, for example, when more than one bill has been withdrawn
from the money box at one time. If so, the dispenser leaves the
vane 56 (FIG. 2) in the rejection position and the multiple bills
are rejected into the collection box. Otherwise, the vane is forced
to the dispensing position and the single bill is dispensed to the
customer.
[0046] The double-detect mechanism determines whether more than one
bill has been withdrawn from the money box by measuring the
thickness of the bill and comparing it to a maximum thickness
value. The thickness is measured by two fingers 80, 82 (FIG. 4)
that are mounted on opposite ends of a rotating shaft 84 and are
spring biased against surface ridges 83, 85 by a spring 86 on shaft
84.
[0047] As the bill is grabbed at the nip points between the fingers
and the ridges (the nip points are spaced above the curved surface
48) and pulled along the surface 48, the bill forces the fingers
upward by a distance equal to the thickness of the bill. As the
fingers are pushed upward, they cause a corresponding rotation of
the shaft 84. The rotation causes a pair of metal paddles 89 (FIG.
13; only one paddle is shown, the other being the same shape as,
parallel to, and mounted in the same orientation on the other side
of board 94, as paddle 89). The paddles are mounted perpendicularly
on the shaft to rotate with respect to stationary metal elements 87
(only one shown) that are formed on the surfaces of a circuit board
94 (FIG. 4), which is fixed in an orientation perpendicular to the
shaft. The stationary elements on the board form primary and
secondary inductance coils, and the paddles provide a field path
linking the coils. The metal paddles are electromagnetically
coupled to the stationary elements so that the amount of rotation
of the shaft 84 can be precisely detected by circuitry 96 mounted
on the circuit board. A circuit board of this kind, known generally
as a rotary variable inductance transducer (RVIT) is available from
TRW Electronics of Hampton, Va.
[0048] The circuitry includes an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter,
which receives an analog voltage signal generated by the rotation
of the paddles relative to the stationary elements.
[0049] The algorithm for determining the thickness proceeds as
follows: Before the note is pulled from the cassette, the voltage
from the RVIT is read (through the A/D converter) to establish a
baseline value for the RVIT. As the note is withdrawn from the
cassette, the skew and length are determined, and the note is
rejected if these values are outside required limits. Skew is a
deviation from a condition in which the leading and trailing edges
of the note are perpendicular to the path of travel. Length is the
dimension of the note measured along the axis parallel to the
normal direction of travel. For the typical note this is the
shorter of the two dimensions.
[0050] As the note is withdrawn, software samples the A/D thickness
readings and looks for a significant change from the baseline
value. A significant change indicates that the leading edge of the
note is under the fingers. Then, the software begins to sample the
thickness at regular intervals (approximately every 2
milliseconds). The readings are sorted into even and odd samples
(e.g., the first and third readings are even, and the second and
fourth readings are odd). The even samples are added together as
they are received. The same is true for the odd samples. The
software watches for the thickness values to return to the
approximate level of the established baseline, indicating that the
trailing edge of the note has been detected. Then the even and odd
sampling ceases.
[0051] The note thickness algorithm is loosely based on `Simpson's
Rule` for approximating the area enclosed by an irregular shape.
Briefly (with some simplification), `Simpson's Rule` breaks a shape
into narrow strips. The area of the overall shape can be
approximated by summing the areas of the strips. The irregular
outline of the shape is approximated by fitting a parabola through
the endpoints of each pair of adjacent strips.
[0052] Simpson's Rule is used to calculate the area of a cross
section of the note, namely, of the rectangle presented when the
note is viewed on edge along the short side. Since the typical note
is not exactly flat as measured by the double detect fingers (there
are always bumps, creases, debris, and other factors that affect
the actual shape of the cross section), the rectangle of the cross
section is always irregular in shape. The data required to utilize
Simpson's Rule is a series of measurements of the note thickness at
regular intervals. These measurements are taken as the note travels
through the note path from the cassette toward the exit. If the
note fails to meet the thickness requirements, the vane forces the
note into a reject bin, and a new note is pulled from the cassette
to replace the rejected note.
[0053] The software then applies Simpson's Rule using the
formula:
Area=(4*Sum of odd samples)+(2*Sum of even samples)
[0054] The Area is divided by the number of samples taken to
compensate for the speed of the note as it traveled past the
thickness sensor and for notes of varying length. This gives a
numeric value proportional to the average thickness of the
note.
[0055] The output signal of the circuitry representative of the
thickness is carried by a conductor 100 (FIG. 4) to dispenser
control circuitry 102 mounted a top wall 104 as shown in FIG. 5.
The value for the average note thickness is compared to a
pre-determined range of valid readings. If the note thickness is
either too high or too low, the note is rejected. If the dispenser
control circuitry determines from the double-detect signal that the
note thickness is within a permitted range (e.g., because only one
bill has been withdrawn), it triggers a solenoid not shown to move
the vane to the dispensing position.
[0056] An algorithm is also provided for determining the skew and
length of bills. The algorithm uses information generated from a
sensor 72 (FIG. 2) that is located ahead of the double detector.
Sensor 72 includes three light sources across the width on one side
of the paper path (one in the middle and one on each end) and three
corresponding detectors on the opposite side of the paper path.
[0057] The skew is determined using a hardware timer, three
software timers (counters), and sensor 72. The hardware timer is
set up to generate an interrupt every 1 millisecond. During an
interrupt service routine, a global variable is incremented. This
global variable (or count) is used by the main software to time
events and to trigger actions.
[0058] Before the note is "picked", the three software counters are
set to 0 and the software is set up to begin incrementing these
counters every 1 millisecond (based on the global count maintained
by the hardware timer). As the note is picked and is removed from
the cassette, the sensors are being monitored by the software. One
sensor is associated with each of the three software counters, When
the leading edge of the note reaches (or blocks) a sensor, the
corresponding counter is read and the counter value (number of
milliseconds) is stored in a memory location. When all three
sensors have been tripped and the software counters are stored for
each, then the leading edge skew may be determined. (The counters
continue to increment in order to determine the trailing edge skew
later.)
[0059] To determine the leading edge skew, the software uses the
readings from the outer two sensors. The difference between these
two values is an indication of the amount of skew present. If this
skew is excessive, the note will be rejected.
[0060] Meanwhile, assuming the leading edge skew is within allowed
limits, the counters are still active to determine the trailing
edge skew. As each of the three sensors becomes no longer blocked,
the corresponding counter is stopped and read again. When all the
sensors are no longer blocked, the difference in the two readings
indicates the trailing edge skew.
[0061] The length of the note is determined using the same software
counters used by the skew calculations. For this calculation, the
value for each counter that was read at the leading edge is
subtracted from the value read at the trailing edge. This gives
three values for the "length" of the note at three locations along
the note. The three "length" values are then averaged to determine
the average "length" of the note (in milliseconds). The resulting
calculated length is compared to a standard value and the note is
rejected if out of limits.
[0062] The skew sensors are also used for jam detection. Of one or
more of the three sensors indicates an excessive time for the bill
to clear the sensors, a jam is assumed to be likely and a jam
recovery routine is initiated to restore operation to normal,
including completing the transaction during which the jam
occurred.
[0063] Among the advantages of providing a skew and length sensor
immediately ahead of, but separately from the double detect
mechanism are simplicity of construction and operation, accuracy of
both the double detection and the skew detection, and jam detection
and recovery which permits unattended operation.
[0064] Also mounted on the top wall are two motors 110, 112 (FIG.
5). As shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7, motor 110 drives a series of
timing/drive belts 115, 116, 118, 120, which in turn drive shafts
65, 42, 40, 38, 71 through gears. Motor 112 (FIG. 5) separately
drives a shaft 114 (FIG. 5) through a belt 116. Shaft 114 provides
torque to drive the bill peeling mechanism inside of the money
box.
[0065] Photoelectronic sensors 120 (FIG. 7), 122 (FIG. 6), 124
(FIG. 8), 126 (FIG. 9), 128 (FIG. 8), 130, and 132 (FIG. 3) are
mounted on the housing of the dispenser in locations that enable
detection of the presence of a money box and a collection box in
the housing and of the presence of a bill at points along the route
traveled by the bill from the money box to the collection or the
dispensing location.
[0066] The control circuitry uses information from the sensors and
from external circuitry located in the ATM to control accurately
the motors and the vane to dispense bills in accordance with the
customer's request and to reject bills that fail the double-detect
testing.
[0067] The housing of the dispenser is assembled using four walls
140, 142, 144, 146 (FIG. 10) all of which are molded of
polycarbonate with 10% carbon fiber for conductivity, a lightweight
yet strong plastic material.
[0068] As shown in FIG. 10, the two parallel sidewalls 140, 142
each bear integral slots 150, 152 to support and permit easy
insertion and removal of each of the collection box and the money
box. Each of the sidewalls also includes a bearing support flange
154 (FIG. 6), 156 (FIG. 8) that includes holes in which plastic
shaft bearings 158 (FIG. 8) are mounted. The shaft bearings hold
and permit rotation of the corresponding shafts. The bearing
support flange also supports non-rotating short shafts 160, 162,
193 (FIG. 6) that hold idler gears, and a rotating shaft 164 that
supports and permits rotation of the vane.
[0069] Each of the shafts 65, 42, 58, 40, 38, 69 is held by and
terminates at one end at one of the snap-in bearings. At the other
end, each of the shafts projects beyond the snap-in bearing to
support one of the gears.
[0070] The bearing support flange of side wall 142 also holds the
shaft that is used to drive the internal mechanism of the money
box.
[0071] Both side walls bear stiffening ridges and other stiffening
features as shown.
[0072] The top and bottom walls 144, 146 also bear stiffening
features and are connected to the side walls by metal screws 302
(FIG. 5). Only three screws are needed along the mating edges of
each pair of walls, e.g., the mating edges 170.
[0073] Rear wall 148, which defines the flat linear portion of the
paper path and the curved feeding surfaces at each end of the
linear portion, is mounted between the two side walls using three
screws 172 (FIG. 8)on each side. Fingers 161, 163 (FIG. 3) hold the
paper path in a fixed position.
[0074] The paper path is defined by a channel 171 (FIG. 2) between
one fixed surface 173 and facing surfaces of a series of four
hinged doors 175 (FIG. 5), 177, 179, and 181 (FIG. 2). The doors
and panel bear the nip rollers. The doors can be unclasped using
keys 182 (FIG. 5) and opened to permit clearing of a jammed bill
from the paper path.
[0075] When the money box is inserted into the housing, a key (not
shown) enters a slot (not shown) in the front wall of the money
box. The key triggers a mechanism (not shown) that opens a window
(not shown), permitting a drive wheel 178 (FIG. 5) to enter the
money box. The drive wheel 178 engages with and drives the bill
peeling mechanism inside the money box.
[0076] A pattern of electrical discharge points 304, 306, 308, 310,
312, 314, 316, 318, 320, 322 (FIGS. 6 and 8) is arranged on the
surfaces of the left and right sidewalls. The electrical discharge
points are in the form of metal lugs attached to the sidewalls and
are interconnected electrically by braided metal wire sections 324,
326. Connection points 308, 310, 314, 316, and 320 are attached
near the ends of metal shafts to the frame panels that serve
portions of the paper path as explained earlier. Connections 312
and 314 are connected to machine electrical ground. The pattern of
grounding elements establishes short distances between discharge
points to compensate for the internal resistance of the plastic
carbon filled material that form that walls, thus effectively
keeping static electricity from building up to a charge large
enough to arc. The grounding elements also reduce static
electricity that may cause bills to cling to the parts of the
dispenser or to each other.
[0077] Because the dispenser is assembled from a small number of
lightweight, easy to manipulate parts, assembly is fast and
inexpensive, and the resulting dispenser is small, lightweight, and
inexpensive. Maintenance can be done easily and inexpensively in
case any part breaks or malfunctions.
Construction of the dispenser proceeds in the following sequence.
The dispenser is designed for z-axis assembly. First, bearings and
small components are installed on the left and right sidewalls.
Then the bottom and top walls are installed on the left sidewall
using screws. Then shafts and paper paths are installed on left
sidewall. The right sidewall is then installed over all the
locations established by the earlier parts. Subassemblies such as
cassette motor drive, money box motor drive, paper path drive, and
the control boards are then installed on the top wall, and the
sensors are installed. Electrical harnesses are installed after
every other part is assembled. The z-axis assembly technique allows
fast and accurate placement of components.
[0078] Other implementations are within the scope of the following
claims.
* * * * *