Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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AUTOMATED BANKING MACHINE CURRENCY
TRACKING SYSTEM AND METHOD
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to automated banking machines. Specifically,
this invention relates to an automated banking machine and which delivers and
receives documents such as currency notes and identifies suspect notes for
analysis and handling.
BACKGROUND ART
Automated banking machines are known in the prior art. A common
type of automated banking machine is an automated teller machine (ATM).
ATMs may be used by individuals to receive cash from their accounts, to pay
bills, to transfer cash between accounts, and to make deposits. Certain ATMs
also enable customers to deposit checks, money orders, travelers checks, or
other instruments. Such ATMs sometimes have the capability of creating an
electronic image of a deposited instrument.
ATMs may also provide various types of sheets to customers. Such
sheets include currency bills that customers withdraw from the machine.
Customers may also receive sheet materials such as money orders, bank
checks, scrip, stamps or other sheet materials stored in or produced by the
machine. Customers may also receive from an ATM a printed sheet which is a
receipt indicating the particulars of the transactions they have conducted at
the
machine. In addition customers may request and receive from some ATMs a
more detailed statement of transactions conducted on their account.
Some ATMs have several different locations on the machine where
sheets are received from or delivered to a customer. For example, most
machines include one area for delivering cash to a customer and another area
for receiving deposits. More than one deposit receiving area may also be
provided for different types of deposits. For example, an ATM may have one
opening for receiving envelope deposits, and a separate opening for receiving
negotiable instruments, such as checks. ATMs may also have a particular area
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for delivering receipts to the customer. If the machine has the capability of
printing a complete account statement on larger paper an additional area may
be provided where statement sheets are delivered.
Having different areas on the customer interface of an ATM to receive
and provide different types of sheets is required because each type of sheet
is
processed by a different mechanism within the machine. Each of these
mechanisms has its own separate access to the customer. This makes
machines with different features substantially different from other machines
and adds complexity to their operation. Providing several different
passageways and transports for receiving and providing sheet materials to
customers also adds complexity and cost to a machine.
While the drawbacks associated with multiple sheet delivery and
receiving openings is easily appreciated with regard to ATMs, other automated
banking machines have similar drawbacks. For example the machines used by
bank tellers to count currency received from customers are generally totally
different machines than those used to dispense currency that is to be provided
by the teller to a customer. Separate machines are also often provided for
receiving and imaging checks and other types of negotiable instruments and
documents of value. Often a separate terminal is provided to print a statement
or record of a transaction for a customer. Automated banking machines
which accept documents such as currency notes are also becoming more
common. In some such automated banking machines, a document such as a
currency note may be received from a customer and assessed for validity by
devices within the machine. If the presented note is determined to be valid,
it
may be stored in the machine and later dispensed to the same or another
customer requesting to receive notes from the machine.
Such automated banking machines may occasionally receive invalid or
suspect documents. When this occurs the document is generally rejected by
the machine. In some circumstances it may be desirable in the case of a
counterfeit document to remove the document from circulation and/or to
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identify the person presenting it for purposes of investigating the source of
counterfeit documents. Also in some cases the documents presented may
generally appear to be valid but do not meet the requirements for acceptance
by the machine. However, even though such documents presented may most
likely be valid, the machine may reject them because they do not meet all of
the criteria set for an unequivocally valid document which is suitable to be
accepted, stored and later dispensed by the machine.
Thus there exists a need for an automated banking machine and system
that has the capability of receiving and dispensing documents such as notes,
which has the capability of accepting and identifying invalid and suspect
notes,
which is capable of providing information that may be used to identify and
preserve such notes and which provides the ability to contact the entity
responsible for presenting the notes to the machine.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
It is an object of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention to
provide an automated banking machine.
It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention to provide an automated banking machine which has a simpler
customer interface.
It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention to provide an automated banking machine which has a single
opening for receiving and providing various types of sheets and documents.
It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention to provide an automated banking machine which performs a
plurality of banking transaction functions and which has a compact physical
size.
It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention to provide an automated banking machine that may be more readily
configured to provide different banking functions.
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It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention to provide an automated banking machine which is capable of
assessing the validity of deposited documents.
It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention to provide an automated banking machine which is capable of
marking suspect and/or invalid documents in the machine.
It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention to provide an automated banking machine which enables tracking of
a suspect or invalid document with regard to the source of the document.
It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention to provide an automated banking machine which is capable of
marking a suspect document with a removable mark which can be removed
from the document if the document is later determined to be valid.
It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention to provide an automated banking machine which marks a suspect
document accepted in the machine with an indicator which corresponds to a
particular transaction, account and/or user associated with placing the
suspect
document in the machine.
It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention to provide an automated banking machine that marks a suspect
document with a removable machine readable indicator.
It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention to provide an automated banking machine which is usable in
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connection with an assessing operation which is capable of evaluating suspect
documents to determine validity and of removing marks from documents
determined to be valid.
It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment of the present
5 invention to provide a method for operation of an automated banking machine
system.
It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention to provide a method of operation of an automated banking machine
system in which invalid and/or suspect documents deposited in an automated
banking machine are identified.
It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention to provide a method in which suspect documents deposited in an
automated banking machine are identified with a removable marking and the
marking is removed after the validity of the deposited document is verified.
It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention to provide a method by which persons responsible for depositing
invalid documents in an automated banking machine may be contacted.
It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention to provide a method by which documents deposited in an automated
banking machine which are determined to be invalid are tracked to the
particular entity responsible for depositing such documents in the machine.
Further objects of exemplary embodiments of the present invention
will become apparent in the following Best Modes for Carrying Out Invention
and the appended claims.
The foregoing objects are accomplished in an exemplary embodiment
by an automated banking machine having a transport which moves sheets or
stacks of sheets along a first transport path. The first transport path
extends
from a user accessible opening on an interface of the machine. The machine
also includes an internal second transport path for transporting sheets. The
second transport path meets the first transport path at an intersection. A
sheet
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directing apparatus is positioned adjacent to the intersection. The machine
further includes at least one sheet dispensing device and at least one sheet
accepting device for dispensing and receiving sheets, respectively. The sheet
dispensing and receiving devices are in operative connection with either the
first or second transport paths.
In operation of the exemplary machine a stack of sheets which may
include various types of documents is received from a user is moved from the
opening along the first transport path. As the stack passes the intersection
the
sheet directing apparatus is selectively operative to separate a sheet from
the
stack and direct the sheet into the second transport path. Once in the second
transport path the separated sheet may be handled individually for processing
or storage in the machine. Passing the stack through the intersection enables
selectively removing sheets from the stack in response to operation of the
sheet directing apparatus.
Sheets dispensed or otherwise held in the machine are enabled to be
assembled into a stack by moving a sheet in the first transport path. A sheet
in
the second transport path is moved to the intersection in coordinated relation
with the first sheet. The first and second sheets engage in aligned relation
and
form a stack in the first transport path as the sheets move through the
intersection. Additional sheets are selectively added to the stack as the
stack is
thereafter again moved through the intersection while successive sheets are
brought to the intersection through the second transport path. Various types
of
sheets are selectively assembled into the stack in the operation of the
machine.
Control circuitry operates the components of the machine to assemble the
stack. Once the stack is assembled, it is delivered to the user by passing it
along the first transport path to the user opening.
In some exemplary embodiments data may be acquired and stored
which is usable to determine the individual users who have provided and/or
received particular sheets from the machine. This may enable the machine to
determine the source or disposition of suspect notes for example.
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Alternatively or in addition, exemplary embodiments may limit the dispense of
documents such as checks, money orders or cash from the machine to
particular individuals to reduce the risk of money laundering or other illegal
or
fraudulent activity. Other exemplary embodiments may include other or
additional features.
In some exemplary embodiments, documents placed in the machine are
assessed for validity through operation of the machine. Documents assessed
as valid are stored in the machine in appropriate storage locations. In some
embodiments such documents may be later dispensed to users of the machine
during transactions that include the dispense of such documents. Deposited
documents that are assessed as invalid in some embodiments maybe marked
by a marking device in the machine with a permanent mark. The permanent
mark may correspond to at least a portion of an indicator associated with the
particular transaction in which the invalid document was deposited. Such
indicators may include for example a transaction number, account number,
user number, indicia corresponding to a biometric feature of the person
depositing the document or other usable indicia or combinations thereof. Such
indicators may in some embodiments be human readable, machine readable or
both. In some exemplary embodiments such invalid documents which are
permanently marked may be stored within the machine for later recovery and
delivery to proper authorities. Such delivery may be accompanied by
information concerning the transaction or user responsible for presenting each
invalid document.
In some exemplary embodiments, documents assessed to be of
questionable validity but which are most likely valid may also be accepted in
the machine. In some such embodiments documents determined to be of
questionable validity may be marked by a marking device which provides a
removable mark on the document. The removable mark may include at least a
portion of an indicator associated with the transaction or transaction data.
The
removable mark may likewise be machine readable, human readable or both.
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In some exemplary embodiments such a marked document because it is
determined to likely be valid, may be accepted and stored in the machine and
the entity responsible for depositing the document may be granted a
provisional credit for the deposit.
In some exemplary embodiments such questionable documents may be
stored for later removal from the machine. Upon such removal the documents
maybe subject to an assessing operation to determine if the document is in
fact valid. Such an assessing operation may be conducted manually, through
operation of a machine, or both. In an exemplary embodiment the removable
mark does not interfere with assessing the document for validity and remains
on the document during the assessing operation. If through the assessing
operation the document is determined to be valid, the removable mark may be
removed from the document and the document either returned to circulation or
otherwise appropriately dealt with. In the exemplary embodiment if the
document is determined to be invalid, the indicator is used to determine the
entity responsible for depositing the document. If a credit has been
previously
granted for deposit of the document, the user given the credit is notified and
the credit revoked. In some exemplary embodiments the marked document
may be maintained and delivered to appropriate authorities along with
information concerning the transaction for purposes of investigation.
It should be understood that the embodiments described herein are
exemplary and many other embodiments are encompassed within the scope of
the claimed invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a front plan view of an exemplary automated banking
machine including some features of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a left side view of the automated banking machine shown in
Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a schematic cross sectional view of the automated banking
machine shown in Figure 1.
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Figure 4 is a side schematic view of a first transport path and a second
transport path in the automated banking machine.
Figure 5 is a transverse cross sectional view of a transport used in the
automated banking machine.
Figure 6 is a schematic side view of a sheet moving from the second
transport path to the first transport path through an intersection.
Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6 with the sheet moved into the
first transport path from the intersection.
Figure 8 is a schematic view similar to Figure 7 with the sheet moving
in an opposed direction through the intersection.
Figure 9 is a schematic view similar to Figure 8 with the sheet held in a
holding device.
Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 9 with the sheet moving in the
intersection and engaging a second sheet being delivered through the second
transport path, the second sheet engaging in aligned relation with the first
sheet to form a stack.
Figure 11 is a schematic view similar to Figure 10 in which the stacked
pair of sheets have passed through the intersection.
Figure 12 is a schematic view similar to Figure 11 in which the stacked
sheets are held in the holding device.
Figure 13 is a schematic view of the first and second transport paths
with the sheet directing apparatus operating to separate a first sheet from a
stack as the stack passes through the intersection.
Figure 14 is a schematic view similar to Figure 13 showing the sheet
separating from the stack as the stack passes through the intersection.
Figure 15 is a schematic view of the first and second transport paths
showing a sheet being reoriented by a sheet turnover device.
Figure 16 is a schematic view showing a sheet passing through a
second intersection between the first transport path and a third transport
path.
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Figure 17 is a schematic view of the first and second transport paths
with a deposit envelope passing therethrough.
Figure 18 is a schematic view showing the first, second and third
transport paths, with a sheet moving from the holding device to the third
5 transport path.
Figure 19 is a schematic view of an alternative embodiment of the first,
second and third transport paths with additional holding devices in the first
transport path.
Figure 20 is a schematic view showing the first and second transport
10 paths with a sheet moving from the second transport path to the first
transport
path, and schematically demonstrating how the sheet directing apparatus is
used as part of a sheet turnover device.
Figure 21 is a schematic view of an alternative embodiment of the first,
second and third transport paths used in an alternative automated banking
machine in which two user interfaces and user accessible openings are
provided.
Figure 22 is a side view of an automated banking machine housing the
transport apparatus schematically shown in Figure 21.
Figure 23 is a schematic view showing a sheet separating from or
adding to a stack as the stack passes through an intersection.
Figure 24 is a schematic view showing an exemplary system in which
suspect and/or invalid documents deposited in an automated banking machine
are processed.
BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT INVENTION
Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to Figure 1, there is
shown therein an automated banking machine-generally indicated 10.
Machine 10 is an ATM. However, other embodiments of the invention may
be other types of automated banking machines. ATM 10 includes a user or
customer interface generally indicated 12. Customer interface 12 includes a
touch screen 14. Touch screen 14 is of a type known in the prior art which
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serves as both an input device and an output device. The touch screen enables
outputs through displays on the screen and enables customers to provide inputs
by placing a finger adjacent to areas of the screen.
Customer interface 12 further includes a keypad 16. Keypad 16
includes a plurality of buttons which maybe actuated by a customer to
provide inputs to the machine. Customer interface 12 further includes a card
reader slot 18. Card slot 18 is used to input a card with encoded data thereon
that is usable to identify the customer and/or the customer's account
information. Card slot 18 is connected to a card reader of a conventional type
for reading data encoded on the card. Other exemplary embodiments may
include types of input devices other than a card reader and/or a keypad. Some
embodiments may include input devices such as biometric readers that may be
operative to receive customer identifying inputs such as fingerprints, iris
scans,
retina scans, face topography data, voice data or other inputs that provide
data
that is usable to identify a user. An example of an ATM that uses biometric
input devices and other types of input devices is shown in U.S. Patent No.
6,023,688 the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Customer interface 12 further includes an opening 20. Opening 20 as
later explained, is used to receive stacks of sheets or documents from a
customer operating machine 10. Opening 20 is also used to deliver stacks of
documents to customers operating the machine. Although opening 20 is
shown exposed in Figure 1, it should be understood that in other embodiments
it may be selectively covered by a movable gate or similar closure structure.
It
should be understood that these features of the described ATM user interface
are exemplary and in other embodiments the user interface may include
different components and/or features.
As shown in Figure 2 machine 10 has a generally divided body
structure which includes a chest portion 22. Chest portion 22 in the exemplary
embodiment is preferably a secure chest and is used for holding items of value
such as currency or deposits. Chest portion 22 has a door 24 which can be
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selectively opened to gain access to the interior of the chest portion. Door
24
preferably includes a combination lock or other locking mechanism (not
shown) which prevents the chest portion from being opened by unauthorized
persons.
Machine 10 further includes an upper enclosure portion 26. The upper
enclosure portion has components of the customer interface 12 thereon. The
customer interface portion 12 includes a fascia 28. Fascia 28 is preferably
movably mounted on the upper enclosure portion 26 and may be selectively
opened to gain access to components housed in the upper enclosure portion. A
locking mechanism (not shown) is preferably included in the upper enclosure
portion of the exemplary embodiment for preventing unauthorized persons
from gaining access to the interior thereof.
As shown in Figure 3 machine 10 includes a plurality of devices for
carrying out banking transactions. It should be understood that the devices
discussed hereafter are exemplary and that additional or different devices may
be included in other embodiments of the invention.
The interior of ATM 10 is schematically shown in Figure 3. The
exemplary ATM includes devices for handling sheets such as notes and other
documents. ATM 10 includes sheet dispensing devices, document producing
devices and sheet receiving devices. Among the sheet dispensing devices are
currency dispensers 30 and 32. Currency dispensers 30 and 32 maybe of the
type shown in U.S. Patent No. 4,494,747, the disclosure of which is
incorporated herein, which selectively dispense sheets one at a time in
response to control signals. Currency dispensers 30 and 32 may include
removable sheet holding containers or canisters which include indicia thereon.
The canisters may be interchangeable and of the type shown in U.S. Patent No.
4,871,085, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein. The indicia on the
sheet holding canisters may be indicative of the type and/or properties of
sheets held therein (i.e. currency type and denomination) and the indicia is
read by a reading apparatus when the canister is installed in the machine.
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The exemplary ATM may operate in response to the indicia on the
canisters to adjust the operation of the dispensers to conform to the canister
contents and position. In the exemplary embodiment the sheet holding
canisters and other devices, may include indicia of the type shown in U.S.
Patent 4,871,085. The information represented by the indicia is read by the
reading apparatus and the resulting signals transmitted to the machine control
circuitry. The control circuitry adjusts operation of the sheet dispensing and
receiving devices in response to the signals to conform to the type and
character of the sheets held in the various canisters.
In the exemplary embodiment of machine 10 shown in Figure 3, the
machine preferably includes a note handling mechanism including sheet
receiving and delivering devices 34, 36 and 38. The exemplary sheet receiving
and delivering devices maybe of the type shown in U.S. Patent No. 6,331,000,
the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The sheet
delivering and receiving devices may enable receiving and storing sheets in
selected compartments as well as selectively delivering sheets from the
various
compartments. As can be appreciated from the incorporated disclosure, some
of the note handling mechanisms may receive and store notes only, others may
dispense notes only and some may both receive and dispense notes. Other
mechanisms may process sheets of types other than notes. Machine 10 further
includes an envelope depository schematically indicated 40. Depository 40 is
a device configured to accept and hold relatively thick sheet-like deposit
envelopes deposited by customers in the machine.
Depository 40, currency dispensers 30 and 32 and sheet receiving and
delivering devices 34, 36 and 38 are all positioned within the chest portion
22
of the machine 10. In the exemplary embodiment, the sheet dispensing and
receiving devices, except for the depository, in the exemplary embodiment
may be interchangeably positioned in the machine. The control circuitry
adjusts operation of the machine accordingly based on the device positions and
the indicia on the canisters or devices.
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Each of the currency dispensers 30 and 32, sheet receiving and
delivering devices 34, 36 and 38, and the depository 40 are in communication
with a sheet transport path generally indicated 42. Sheet transport path 42
comprises a plurality of sheet transports which are aligned and in operative
connection through a rear area of the chest portion. Sheet transport path 42
may include one or more sheet transports of the type shown in U.S. Patent
5,240,638, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein. Each of the
depository 40, currency dispensers 30 and 32 and sheet receiving and
delivering devices 34, 36 and 38 are in operative connection with the sheet
transport path 42, and are enabled to deliver sheets to and/or receive sheets
from the sheet transport path 42.
Sheet transport path 42 extends through an opening (not shown) in the
chest portion 22 of the ATM chest. Wiring that connects components located
in the chest portion with components in the upper enclosure portion 26 also
extends through an opening in the chest portion and is connected to control
circuitry, schematically indicated 44. The control circuitry 44 preferably
includes at least one processor in operative connection with at least one
memory or data store, and is operative to carry out programmed instructions
based on data stored in the memory. The control circuitry in the exemplary
embodiment operates the machine to carry out the operations hereinafter
described.
Upper enclosure portion 26 includes the fascia 28 and the customer
accessible opening 20. A first transport path generally indicated 46 extends
inside the machine from opening 20. First transport path 46 preferably
includes an interwoven belt type transport of the type shown in U.S. Patent
5,797,599, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference. A transport
of
this type is schematically shown in Figure 5 and is generally indicated 48.
Transport 48 includes a plurality of spaced first rolls 50 and a plurality
of intermediate spaced second rolls 52. Rolls 50 and 52, which are preferably
crowned rolls, support elastomeric belts thereon. First rolls 50 support first
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belts 54 and second rolls 52 support second belts 56. Belts 54 and 56 extend
longitudinally in the transport 48.
A stack of sheets schematically represented by sheet 58 in Figure 5,
move in engaged relation with belts 54 and 56 in the transport as described in
5 the incorporated patent disclosure. The configuration of transport 48
enables
transporting stacks having varied numbers and types of sheets, as well as
transporting passbooks and other forms of stacked sheets. The transport of the
exemplary embodiment is useful because of its ability to transport sheets of
various types, having varied thicknesses and frictional properties while
10 minimizing skewing.
Referring again to Figure 3, first transport path 46 intersects with
transport path 42 at a first intersection, generally indicated 60. As
hereinafter
explained the exemplary embodiment comprises a separating mechanism that
separates sheets individually from a stack and a stack assembly mechanism
15 that produce a stack of documents. In the exemplary embodiment, sheets are
selectively stacked and unstacked while moving through first intersection 60
to
enable processing of sheets within the machine 10.
Upper enclosure portion 26 also includes various sheet producing,
dispensing and/or receiving devices. These dispensing and receiving devices
may include dispensers or devices for receiving or dispensing sheets similar
to
those shown in U.S. Patent 4,494,747 or U.S. Patent No. 6,331,000, and may
include removable canisters for holding sheets therein. Such removable
canisters may also include indicia of the type described in U.S. Patent
4,871,085, which are read by apparatus within the machine. The control
circuitry may be operative to control the operation of the machine in response
to the indicia.
Devices 62 and 64 may serve as part of a document producing device
and may hold sheets such as blank receipt or statement forms. Alternatively,
one of such canisters may hold blank instruments which must be completed,
such as scrip forms, money orders or travelers checks. A further sheet
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dispensing device 66 may dispense documents that need to be completed
before dispense documents that need to be completed before dispense such as
bank checks or documents that are dispensed without further processing such
as plates of stamps.
A sheet receiving device 68 is also preferably included in the upper
enclosure portion. Sheet receiving device 68 may be used for holding sheets
such as checks or other instruments, which have been input by a customer to
the machine and which have been imaged and/or canceled through processing
in the machine.
The exemplary upper enclosure portion further includes at least one
printing device schematically indicated 70. Printing device 70 may be used for
selectively printing on sheets under control of the control circuitry. In the
exemplary embodiment the automated banking machine includes marking
devices. Such marking devices may comprise one or more printing devices
such as device 70. Such a marking device may be used to provide a removable
marking on a document. Such removable markings may comprise removable
ink. Such removable ink may be visible or nonvisible ink. In some
embodiments the marking device may provide a mark that is visible only when
exposed to radiation within a certain frequency range. This may be for
example a marking that becomes visible only when exposed to ultraviolet
light. The removable markings in some embodiments may include numbers,
symbols, patterns or designs or any other human or machine readable indicia
that correspond to data or some other feature.
In some alternative embodiments the marking device for providing a
removable mark to documents within the machine may include a device which
applies a removable self adhesive label. Such a label may be printed or
otherwise produced by an appropriate device within the machine and then
applied to documents. Of course in some embodiments, combinations of types
of marking devices may operate to apply different types of markings to
documents in a machine. In addition or in the alternative exemplary
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embodiments may include a device for applying a permanent marking to
documents. Such permanent marking may include marking with a permanent
ink, label or other indicia. Such permanent marking may also include
permanently modifying or damaging a document such as by punching holes,
shredding or other process which provides a generally permanent indication on
the document. It should be appreciated that multiple types of marking devices
may be provided in various embodiments depending on the operations to be
carried out by the machine. In addition other embodiments may include
devices for applying permanent or temporary markings different from those
that are discussed herein.
An imaging device schematically indicated 72 is also included in the
exemplary machine. Imaging device 72 is preferably of the type which
enables reading and generating an electronic image of a document, such as that
shown in U.S. Patent 5,534,682 or U.S. Patent No. 5,923,413 the disclosures
of each of which are incorporated as if fully rewritten herein. In some
embodiments an imaging device may operate in conjunction with the control
circuitry to produce signals which comprise an electronic representation of an
image of a check or other instrument. The electronic representation may
include all or selected portions of one or both sides of the sheet. For
example
in some situations it may be suitable to obtain an electronic image of
alphabetic, numerical and/or other symbols or features on the check. For
example such data may be analyzed using character recognition software such
as software commercially available from Check Solutions Inc., A2ia or other
companies to determine the maker, amount and/or other data pertinent to the
check for purposes of receiving and/or cashing the check.
In some embodiments printing devices, marking devices or other
devices may also serve as part of a cancellation device. Such a cancellation
device may serve to print or otherwise mark checks or other documents
received by the machine. For example, the machine may mark as cancelled
checks which are received and processed by the ATM. In some embodiments
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such checks or documents maybe marked through operation of the
cancellation device and then stored in a check storage location in the
machine.
In other embodiments the cancellation device after the document has been
imaged, may mark the document to indicate that it has been cancelled and
return the cancelled document to the user of the machine. In some
embodiments one or more such cancelled documents may be assembled in a
stack in a manner hereafter discussed, when returned to a user. Cancelled
documents may also be returned in an assembled stack with other documents
such as a receipt for the transaction and/or notes dispensed by the ATM as a
result of cashing the check. In some embodiments cancelled checks may be
shredded, compacted or otherwise marked to avoid any fraudulent use. The
control circuitry may also operate to store data corresponding to the check
and
the identity of the user of the ATM providing the check to the machine in one
or more data store for purposes of record keeping. For example the data store
may store data corresponding to the check with the data that corresponds to a
user's account number, biometric data, photograph or other data usable to
identify a user. Of course these approaches are exemplary and other
approaches may be used.
In some embodiments the control circuitry may operate to check the
user identity data before cashing one or more checks. The control circuitry
may also be programmed to limit the risk of check cashing by unauthorized
persons and/or to reduce the risk of money laundering. For example before
cashing a check the control circuitry may operate to compare data
corresponding to the characters identifying the payee indicated on the check
to
other input data corresponding to the user of the machine and/or to the
characters on the check comprising the endorsement. If the payee, user and/or
endorsement data does not correspond, the control circuitry may operate so
that the check is not accepted or cashed. Further the control circuitry may
operate to determine the amount and/or nature of checks the particular user
has
presented at the ATM and/or within a prior time period. The ATM may also
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operate to communicate with other computers in a network to determine the
amount or nature of checks presented by the user at other ATMs. If the user's
check presenting activities fall outside certain established programmed
parameters, such that the user's activities maybe indicative of theft of the
check or money laundering, for example, the ATM may refuse the transaction.
In the alternative and/or in addition a user presenting a check may be
required by the control circuitry to provide at least one biometric input.
This
may be done even in circumstances where the user may be identifiable by data
on a card or another manner. The biometric identification data may be
compared to stored data and used to evaluate the check cashing activities of
this particular user. A determination may be made by the control circuitry or
by a remote computer to determine if the activities fall outside the
established
parameters such that the current transaction is suspicious and not permitted.
In
this way a user with multiple cards and/or multiple identities may be
prevented
from conducting transactions that might be suspicious in terms of theft or
money laundering. Of course some embodiments may also operate to cross
check biometric data with data on a debit or credit card or other item or
other
device presented by the user to the ATM to provide greater assurance as to the
identity of the user. Of course in other embodiments other approaches may be
used.
The exemplary handling devices 62, 64 and 66, as well as the sheet
receiving device 68, of the ATM are all in communication with one or more
transports. These transports may be of the type shown in U.S. Patent
5,342,165, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein, or other suitable
sheet transport devices. The sheet transport devices form a sheet transport
path 74. Sheet transport path 74 extends to transport path 46 and meets
transport path 46 at a second intersection 76.
The upper enclosure portion may also include additional or other
devices. Such devices may include a journal printer as schematically indicated
by rolls 78. The journal printer is used to make a paper record of
transactions
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conducted at machine 10. Electronic journals may also be made by the control
circuitry and stored in memory. Other devices which may be included in the
machine are other types of document producing devices, audio output devices,
customer sensors, cameras and recorders, biometric sensing devices and other
5 apparatus suitable for use in the operation of the particular type of
automated
banking machine.
Transport paths 42, 46 and 74 of the exemplary machine are shown in
greater detail in Figure 4. Although the transports and operation thereof are
described in detail it should be understood that they are merely exemplary of
10 devices which may be used and the claimed invention is not limited thereto.
Transport path 46, which includes one or more transports of the interwoven
belt type shown in Figure 5. The transport path has therein a plurality of
first
belts 80 which extend between first rolls 82 and 84. First rolls 82 and 84 are
selectively driven by a reversible drive, schematically indicated 86.
15 Second belts 88 extend between a second roll 90 and rolls 92, 94 and
96. Second belts 88 are driven by a second reversible drive schematically
indicated 98. As shown in Figure 4, roll 96 is selectively movable for
purposes which are later explained. Of course it should be understood that the
belts and rolls shown in the first transport path 46 are actually a plurality
of
20 spaced belts and rolls of the type shown in Figure 5.
First transport path 46 further includes a further transport section 100.
Transport section 100 is similar to the transport shown in Figure 5 and
includes a plurality of third belts 102 journaled on spaced rolls 104 and 106.
Rolls 106 have positioned adjacent thereto a plurality of holding rolls
108. Rolls 108 are positioned in spaced axial intermediate relation of third
belts 102. This configuration imparts a wave configuration to sheets and
stacks of sheets in a manner comparable to that imparted to sheets held by
transport 48 as shown in Figure 5. Holding rolls 108 and transport section 100
are independently driven by reversible drives (not shown) under the control of
the control circuitry 44.
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Adjacent to first intersection 60, where sheet path 42 meets sheet path
46, is a sheet directing apparatus generally indicated 110. Sheet directing
apparatus 110 includes sheet engaging rolls 112 and further rolls 114. Rolls
112 and 114 have resilient belts 116 mounted thereon. It should be understood
that rolls 112 and 114 are driven by one or more independent reversible drives
(not shown) under control of the control circuitry 44. It should be understood
that rolls 112 and 114 and belts 116 in Figure 4, represent a plurality of
such
belts and rolls which are preferably disposed in intermediate relation between
the lower flights of first belts 80.
Transport path 42 further includes transport 118 which is adjacent to
depository 40. Transport 118 includes a plurality of rolls which drive belts
120 in response to a reversing drive (not shown). Rolls 122 which are engaged
with belts 120, as well as rolls 124 which are independently driven by one or
more reversible drives (not shown), are positioned in the sheet path 42
adjacent to rolls 114 and 96. The purpose of this configuration is later
discussed in detail.
As schematically represented in Figure 4 transport path 46 includes
sensing devices. These sensing devices are in operative connection with the
control circuitry 44, and operate to sense features of sheets and stacks of
sheets
in the sheet transport path. A thickness sensor schematically indicated 126 is
preferably provided for sensing the thickness of sheets, stacks of sheets, or
sheet like deposit envelopes that move along transport path 46. Indicia
reading devices 128 and 130 are preferably operative to sense indicia on
sheets
and envelopes moving in the transport path. The sensing devices may include
photo reflective devices, magnetic sensing devices or other appropriate
devices
for distinguishing features of currency, various types of negotiable
instruments
and/or deposit envelopes. For example in some embodiments the sensing
devices in combination with the control circuitry or other circuitry in the
machine may comprise a validating device or assessing device for assessing
the validity of notes or other documents. An example of such a device is
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shown in U.S. Patent 5,923,413 the disclosure of which is incorporated herein.
In some embodiments the validating or assessing device may
additionally or alternatively be operative to identify individual notes. For
example, the validating device may produce through algorithms one or more
distinctive values that are generally uniquely associated with a particular
note.
In addition or in the alternative, the validating device may include character
recognition capabilities which enable determination of the serial numbers or
other unique characters associated with particular notes. This may enable
some embodiments of the machine to store in correlated relation in at least
one
data store, data that uniquely identifies a note input to the ATM and the
particular user who provided the note to the machine. This may enable the
ATM to identify a particular suspect note and capture the information on the
user who provided it to the machine. The particular type, position and
capabilities of sensing devices and/or validating devices used in a particular
machine will depend on the characteristics and types of documents which are
intended to be processed by the machine.
In some exemplary embodiments the assessing device may operate in
the manner of the incorporated disclosure to assess the validity of documents
such as currency notes deposited in the machine. In response to a note being
assessed as valid, the machine may operate in accordance with the
programming of the control circuitry to store the valid note in an appropriate
location within the machine. In some exemplary embodiments this location
may be in a storage location in which the note may be stored and from which
the note may be subsequently dispensed to a user of the machine in the course
of a transaction in which such a note is required. This may be for example
dispensing cash to a subsequent user of the machine who requested cash
withdrawal as part of the transaction. This occurs after the transaction of
the
user which resulted in the note being deposited in the machine.
In some exemplary embodiments a document may be identified as
invalid. This may be based on the fact that the document has properties of a
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known counterfeit note. The control circuitry of the machine maybe
programmed to identify such notes. In such circumstances exemplary
embodiments may be programmed to cause the invalid note to be marked by
one or more marking devices. In some exemplary embodiments the marking
provided by the marking device may be a permanent mark or a removable
mark. In some exemplary embodiments the mark may include at least a
portion of an indicator which is associated with the transaction. This
indicator
may include a transaction number which is unique to the particular transaction
in which the invalid document was deposited. Alternatively or in addition, the
indicator maybe indicia associated with an account of a user of the machine
on whose behalf the invalid document was presented. Alternatively or in
addition, the note may be marked with indicia corresponding to a biometric
identifier associated with the particular user who deposited the document. Of
course combinations of such markings may be applied. Further such markings
may be wholly or partially in machine readable form such as bar code. In
addition or in the alternative, such markings may include visible and/or
nonvisible ink, the application of a label or other marking so as to identify
the
invalid document and to associate it with information which enables the source
and/or circumstances related to the deposit of the document in the machine to
be tracked or determined.
In an exemplary embodiment invalid documents are stored in a first
storage location in the machine for later removal and study. Also in the
exemplary embodiment the information concerning the indicator or other
documentation may be stored in a data store in the machine and/or transmitted
to one or more remote computers in a network. Such information may be used
for purposes of notifying the entity responsible for operating the machine
such
as a bank, an entity responsible for the customer and/or account into which
the
invalid document was attempted to be deposited and/or appropriate authorities
who are responsible for issues related to counterfeit currency or other
invalid
documents. In alternative embodiments a document determined to be invalid
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may be permanently marked so as to render it plainly unsuitable to be further
passed and then returned to the user.
In some exemplary embodiments documents that are assessed by the
machine may be assessed as likely to be valid, but of such questionable
validity that the assessing device cannot provide assurance of document
validity. In an exemplary embodiment when a document is determined to be
of questionable validity, the control circuitry operates the automated banking
machine to mark the document with a removable mark. This removable mark
may include an indicator associated with the transaction, the user or other
circumstances as previously discussed. The removable mark may comprise
visible or nonvisible markings including markings in inks or other materials
that are only visible when exposed to radiation within a certain frequency
range. Such marking may also or alternatively include machine readable
indicia, information corresponding to a biometric feature of the user or other
data which may be correlated with the transaction, account or user. In some
exemplary embodiments the removable marking may include water soluble ink
or other material that can be relatively readily removed by appropriate
washing
agents in the event that the note is eventually determined to be valid. In
addition or in the alternative, the removable marking device may employ a
removable label or other indicator that may be applied in a semi-permanent
fashion but removed as necessary if the deposited document is subsequently
determined to be valid.
In some exemplary embodiments the automated banking machine upon
receipt of a document of questionable validity, may operate in conjunction
with remote computers to provide the account user or upon whose behalf the
document is presented with a credit for the deposited document. In such
exemplary embodiments the credit may be subject to confirmation or
revocation upon further assessment of the document for validity during a
subsequent assessing operation which is later described.
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First various sheet manipulating and processing operations performed
by the exemplary automated banking machine of the described embodiment
are now explained in detail with reference to Figures 6-21.
Figure 6 shows a sheet 132 moving through the intersection 60 of the
5 first sheet path 46 and sheet path 42. Sheet 132, prior to reaching the
position
shown in Figure 6, may have been dispensed by one of the sheet dispensing
devices positioned adjacent to transport path 42 and moved adjacent to the
intersection by one or more transports which make up the transport path. As
sheet 132 approaches the intersection it is engaged by belts 116 of the sheet
10 directing apparatus 110, as well as belts 88. The control circuitry
operates the
drives which move the belts to work in cooperating relation to move the sheet
toward the intersection. Once the sheet is passed through the intersection it
is
engaged between the lower flights of belt 80 and the upper flights of belts
88,
and the sheet 132 is carried in the first direction indicated by Arrow A in
15 Figure 6. As will be appreciated from Figure 4, Arrow A is in the direction
of
the customer opening 20 of the automated banking machine.
As shown in Figure 7 in the mode of operation currently being
described, the structures act as a stack assembly mechanism. Once sheet 132
is fully moved through the intersection in the first transport path 146,
20 movement of the sheet in the first direction is stopped. This is
accomplished
by the control circuitry 44 operating the transport drives in accordance with
its
program logic stored in memory, and in response to customer inputs at the
customer interface. A sensor schematically indicated 134 positioned in the
first sheet path senses the position of the sheet. Sensor 134 is in operative
25 connection with the control circuitry. Sensor 134 may be one of several
types
of sensors suitable for sensing the position of sheets, such as a photo
reflective
type sensor. Once sheet 132 is in the position shown in Figure 7, belts 80 and
88 are stopped.
As shown in Figure 8, the control circuitry now operates the
components of the machine to move sheet 132 in a second opposed direction
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as indicated by Arrow B. To move sheet 132 through the intersection in the
opposed direction, sheet engaging rolls 112 and belts 116 rotate to prevent
sheet 132 from passing into the second sheet transport path 42. Transport
section 100 is also operated by the control circuitry to engage sheet 132 and
move it in the opposed direction. A sheet turnover member 136 later
described in detail, is moved to enable sheet 132 to pass roll 82 in the first
sheet path.
As shown in Figure 9 sheet 132 is moved in the second direction until
it is engaged between holding rolls 108 and transport section 100. A sensor
which is schematically indicated 138 is positioned to sense that sheet 132 is
positioned in the holding device provided by the combination of holding rolls
108 and transport section 100. Sensor 138 is operatively connected to the
control circuitry which operates to stop further movement of sheet 132 in the
second direction when it has reached the position shown. It should be noted
that sheet 132 in this position is held adjacent to second intersection 76,
which
is the intersection of sheet path 74 and sheet path 46.
The next step in the operation of the exemplary stack assembly
mechanism is represented in Figure 10. A further sheet 140 is moved in
transport path 42 toward the intersection 60. Sheet 140 may be dispensed by
one of the sheet dispensing devices, sheet producing devices or is otherwise
in
the path, and is moved toward the intersection. As sheet 140 moves adjacent
to the intersection it is engaged by the belts 116 of sheet directing
apparatus
110 as well as belts 88. Sheet 140 is also sensed by a sensor 142 in transport
path 42. Sensor 142 is in operative connection with the control circuitry. The
control circuitry operates to accurately coordinate the movement of the sheet
140 in engagement with the sheet directing apparatus 110 and belts 88.
As sheet 140 moves toward the intersection 60 the control circuitry
operates to begin moving sheet 132 in the first direction along path 46 toward
the intersection. The control circuitry coordinates the operation of the
drives
for the various components so that sheet 140 and sheet 132 pass through the
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intersection 60 in coordinated relation. As a result, sheets 132 and 140
engage
in aligned, abutting relation so as to form a stack as they move through the
intersection 60.
As shown in Figure 11 once sheets 140 and 132 have passed
intersection 60 in the first direction, they are in a stack generally
indicated 144.
As schematically indicated in Figure 11, in this mode of operation sensor 144
is operative to sense passage of the stack through the intersection and the
control circuitry is operative to stop movement of the stack in the first
direction in response to signals from the sensor. After sheets 132 and 140
have combined to form stack 144, additional sheets maybe added to the stack.
This is accomplished by moving the stack 144 in the second direction similar
to that which is done with sheet 132 previously, as represented in Figure 8.
Stack 144 is moved to the position shown in Figure 12 in which it is held by
the holding device formed by holding rolls 108 and transport section 100.
Thereafter, additional sheets may be added to the stack by passing sheets on
transport path 42 and engaging such sheets in aligned relation with the stack
in
a manner similar to that represented in Figure 10.
It will be appreciated that a stack comprising a significant number of
generally aligned and abutting sheets may be formed in the manner described.
Because the sheets are selectively dispensed from the dispensing devices
and/or sheet producing devices adjacent to transport path 42, the sheets maybe
stacked in a desired order as determined by the control circuitry. For
example,
sheets which are currency notes maybe stacked in order from highest to'
lowest denomination, or vice versa. Particular sheets may be placed in a
desired location within the stack. Once the stack has been assembled in the
desired manner by the control circuitry of the machine, it may be moved in
first transport path 46 to the opening 20 so it may be taken by a customer.
It should also be noted that in the position of stack 144 shown in
Figure 12, the stack is positioned in the holding device formed by holding
rolls
108 and transport section 100 adjacent to intersection 76. Intersection 76 is
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the intersection of transport path 46 and transport path 74. Transport path 74
extends to the devices housed in the upper enclosure portion 26 of machine 10.
As schematically represented in Figure 16, a sheet 146 maybe moved
from one of the devices adjacent to sheet path 74 to engage the stack 144 at
intersection 76 as the stack moves in the first direction. This enables adding
sheets to the stack which are housed in the sheet dispensing devices and/or
document producing devices adjacent to sheet path 74. The stack formed by
the addition of sheets from sheet path 74 may be moved through sheet path 46
to the customer.
It will be understood that sheets from sheet path 74 may be delivered
individually through intersection 76 into sheet path 46, and may thereafter be
added to a stack formed at intersection 60 in a manner similar to that
previously described. It should also be understood that sheet path 74 includes
appropriate sensors that are operatively connected to the control circuitry.
The
control circuitry operates so that sheets from the sheet path 74 may be added
to
a stack in engaged, aligned relation with the other sheets in the stack as the
sheets pass through intersection 76. As a result the associated structures
operate as a further stack assembly mechanism.
As shown in Figure 15, exemplary machine 10 further includes the
capability of taking sheets in the first sheet path and turning them over
using a
turnover device. This may be done as shown in Figure 15, through the use of
sheet turnover member 136. Exemplary sheet turnover member 136 comprises
a member including arcuate guides or tines conforming to the contour of rolls
82. When the turnover member is positioned adjacent to rolls 82, such as in
Figure 15, a moving sheet 148 is caused to be turned over from the position of
the sheet in the first sheet path 46. This is accomplished by moving sheet 148
in the direction of Arrow C in Figure 15. In the exemplary embodiment the
upper belt flights of belt 80 are part of a sheet path generally indicated
150.
Sheet path 150 extends adjacent to printing device 70 and imaging device 72
shown in Figure 3. As a result, the sheet may be selectively moved into sheet
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path 150 for purposes of conducting printing or marking thereon, such as by a
marking or cancellation device, for producing an electronic image of the sheet
by an imaging device, or both. Of course other or different functions may be
performed including devices for making a permanent mark or a removable
mark on documents.
Once the marking, printing or imaging activity has been conducted on
the sheet in sheet path 150, the sheet may be returned to the first sheet path
46. Once the sheet 148 is returned to the first sheet path it maybe
selectively
moved to one of the other sheet paths 42 or 74. From these sheet paths it may
be directed into and stored in an appropriate sheet storage device or location
in
the machine. Alternatively, sheet 148 maybe selectively moved to be
combined in a stack with other sheets at intersections 60 or 76. This may in
some embodiments provide for the delivery of cancelled checks to a user.
Such cancelled checks may be delivered in a stack with other checks, receipts,
notes or other documents.
In some embodiments the sheet turnover members 136 maybe
configured so that sheets in transport path 150 may be directly added to a
stack
of sheets at the intersection of sheet path 46 and the turnover device. This
is
accomplished by configuring or moving the turnover member so that the tines
in the lower position do not interfere with the passage of a stack of sheets
in
the first direction past the turnover member. This feature provides yet
another
stack assembly mechanism and may be particularly advantageous when a
customer receipt is printed on a sheet by the printer in sheet path 150, and
it is
desired to have the receipt at the top of the stack. This may be achieved by
positioning the stack in the holding device formed by holding rolls 108 and
transport section 100, and moving the stack in the first direction to the
right in
Figure 15 as the printed receipt sheet is engaged in aligned relation with the
top of the stack as the stack moves toward opening 20.
It should be understood that in other embodiments, sheets from paths
74 and 42, as well as from path 150, may all be added to a stack as the stack
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moves from the holding device provided by transport section 100 and holding
rolls 108, in the first direction toward the customer. This can be readily
envisioned from the schematic view shown in Figure 16 with the stack 144
moving to the right as shown, and sheets being added to the stack as the stack
5 passes roll 82 and again as the stack moves through intersection 60. As will
be appreciated by those skilled in the art, numerous configurations and
operations of the system may be provided depending on the functions carried
out by the machine as well as the programming and configuration of the
control circuitry.
10 It should be understood that other sheet turnover devices, other than, or
in addition to turnover member 136, may be provided in other embodiments.
For example, in Figure 18 a directing member 152 is shown in cooperating
relation with roll 108. Directing member 152 is selectively movable between
the position shown, wherein it is adjacent to roll 108 and the position shown
in
15 phantom. As represented in Figure 18, when the directing member 152 is in
the position shown it is operative to direct a sheet 154 that is held in the
holding device formed by transport section 110 and holding rolls 108 into
transport path 74. Sheet 154 may be moved in transport path 74 to a sheet
handling device for storage therein in the manner previously discussed.
20 Alternatively, turnover of the sheet 154 may be accomplished by
moving it into transport path 174 and thereafter disposing directing member
152 away from roll 108. Once this is done, sheet 154 may again be directed
into path 146 and moved to the right as shown in Figure 18 so that sheet 154
will move in a manner comparable to that of sheet 146 shown in Figure 16.
25 This will result in the orientation of sheet 154 being reversed in sheet
path 46
from its original orientation.
The components adjacent to intersection 60 may also be operated as a
sheet turnover device. This is represented schematically in Figure 20. This is
accomplished by having a sheet 156 initially positioned in the first sheet
path
30 similar to sheet 132 in Figure 7. The sheet is then moved into the second
sheet
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path at intersection 60 by operating the sheet directing apparatus 110 in a
manner that is later discussed in detail. Once sheet 156 is in the second
sheet
path, the direction of belts 88 and 116 is reversed while the lower flights of
belt 80 are moved to move the sheet in the second direction indicated by
Arrow B. This results in the sheet being turned over from its original
orientation in the transport.
It should be further understood that sheets which originate in transport
path 42 may also be directed in the manner shown in Figure 20. This feature
enables selectively positioning sheets and turning them over through a number
of different mechanisms. This enhances the capabilities of the exemplary
automated banking machine.
A further useful aspect of the exemplary embodiment is that it includes
a separating mechanism for separating sheets from a stack as represented
schematically in Figures 13 and 14. The exemplary embodiment shown
includes the capability of selectively separating a sheet from a stack of
sheets
as the stack passes through the intersection 60 of transport path 46 and
transport path 42. As schematically represented in Figure 13, a stack of
sheets
158 moves in the direction indicated by Arrow B in transport path 46.
Although stack 158 is shown as a stack of four sheets, it should be understood
that the stack may comprise a greater or lesser number of sheets. Stack 158
may be a stack of sheets received from a user of the machine through opening
20 and may consist of different sheet types. For example in some
embodiments stacks accepted in the machine may include stacks of mixed
notes, checks and/or other types of sheets
As stack 158 moves toward intersection 60 the control circuitry of the
machine operates sheet directing apparatus 110 so that rolls 112 and 114, and
belts 116 j oumaled thereon, move relative to the stack in a direction opposed
to the direction of stack movement. As a result of this movement by the sheet
directing apparatus, a first sheet 160 which bounds a first side of the stack,
is
frictionally engaged by belts 116 and is stripped and separated from the
stack.
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The first sheet 160 is directed into the sheet path 42 as the stack which
comprises the remaining sheets continues on path 46. This enables sheet 160
to be handled separately by the devices adjacent to path 42, or to be later
brought individually back to path 46 for individual transport to devices
adjacent to other paths.
It should be noted that the sheet handling stacking and unstacking
mechanisms described in the exemplary embodiment are but examples of
devices for handling documents such as notes, checks, or other sheets within
an automated banking machine. In other embodiments other sheet handing
and transport mechanisms may be used.
It should be noted that in the exemplary embodiment a sensor 162 is
positioned adjacent to path 42. Sensor 162 may be a photo electric sensor
connected to the control circuitry for sensing the position of the sheet.
Alternatively, sensor 162 may comprise a plurality of similar or different
sensors adapted for sensing features of a sheet. Sensor 162 may be part of a
validation or accessing device such as that previously discussed that is
suitable
for determining note type and denomination. This enables the control circuitry
to properly identify a currency sheet and place it in a designated note
handling
mechanism, storage position or other the sheet receiving device. Sensors 162
may alternatively operate in connection with the control circuitry or other
circuitry to provide a validation mechanism or assessing device to determine
or assess the genuineness of a sheet. In other embodiments other features such
as magnetic ink indicia, bar coding and other features may additionally or
alternatively be detected by one or more sensors for purposes of identifying
the
type, nature an/or properties of a sheet as it moves adjacent the sensors.
As previously mentioned, in some embodiments the validation device
may be operative to identify particular sheets, such as by serial number or
other characteristics. In some embodiments such information may be stored
for suspect notes, and in others for all or certain selected categories of
notes.
Such data concerning individual notes may be stored in a data store in
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correlated relation with information usable to determine the identity of the
user
who provided the note to the machine. Other data may be stored as well, such
as for example, the storage location or position where the note is stored in
the
machine or other information that can be used to recover the particular note
and/or to document the transaction.
In some embodiments the machine may hold in a data store, identifying
information related to notes for purposes of comparison to notes provided to
the machine. This may include in some embodiments information
corresponding to properties, characteristics or numbers associated with known
counterfeit or invalid notes. Such information used for comparison may also
include identifying data for individual notes already deposited in the
machine.
Thus for example, if a note provided to the machine is individually identified
by determining the serial number, the serial number may be compared through
operation of the control circuitry to stored data for serial numbers of known
counterfeits. Alternatively or in addition, the serial number of the note
provided to the ATM may be compared to serial numbers for notes previously
deposited or input in the machine. In the event of a match in either example
the control circuitry would act in response to the apparent suspect note in
accordance with its programming. This may include capturing and storing the
suspect note, marking the note, capturing additional data about the user
presenting the suspect note, notifying authorities or taking other action.
In embodiments where identifying data on all notes is captured and
used for comparison, the control circuitry may operate to indicate when the
note has been dispensed out of the machine. This may include for example
deleting the information about the note such as its serial number from the
data
store upon dispense. Alternatively such indication may include storing the
information indicative that the particular note has been dispensed. The
information about the note dispensed may in some embodiments be stored in
correlated relation with information unable to identify the user who received
the note from the machine. Of course other approaches may be used in other
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embodiments and the approaches discussed with regard to notes may also be
applied to other types of documents.
Returning to the discussion of the operation of the separating
mechanism, after sheet 160 is separated from the stack 158 as shown in Figure
14, the control circuitry may operate the transports in the first path 46 to
move
the remaining stack to a position to the right of the intersection 60. If it
is
desired to separate an additional sheet from the stack, the remaining sheets
may be moved through the intersection again in the direction of Arrow D to
accomplish separation of the sheet that is newly bounding the side of the
stack.
Alternatively, if the control circuitry determines that it is not necessary to
separate a further sheet from the stack, the sheet directing apparatus may be
operated so that belts 116 and rollers 112 and 114, move in the same direction
as rollers 92 and at a similar speed. This will result in the stack passing
through the intersection without a sheet being separated from the stack.
It should be understood that while in the embodiment shown the sheet
directing apparatus comprises a plurality of rolls having resilient surfaces
thereon that move at a relative speed that is less than the speed of the
moving
stack, in other embodiments other types of stripping and separating devices
may be used. These may include for example, resilient pads or rolls. Such
devices may also include resilient suction cup type mechanisms or vacuum
generating devices. Further alternative forms of sheet directing devices may
include other physical members that engage selectively one or more sheets so
as to direct them from path 46 into another path 42.
It should also be noted that in the exemplary embodiment shown in
Figures 13, 14 and 23, sheets maybe separated from a stack as the stack
moves from right to left. However, in other embodiments it may be desirable
to arrange the sheet directing apparatus so that sheets maybe separated from a
stack when the stack moves in either direction. This may be readily
accomplished through arrangements of resilient rollers or other stripping
devices or members which may be selectively actuated to engage and separate
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a sheet upon passage of a stack through an intersection. This configuration
may have advantages in other embodiments where greater speed in sheet
separation is desired.
As will be appreciated from the foregoing discussion, in some banking
5 machines it may be desirable to process certain sheets individually. For
example, if it is determined that a sheet separated from a stack is a check or
other negotiable instrument that must be transferred to the imaging device, or
an invalid note or note of questionable validity that should be transported to
a
marking device, it may be desirable to clear a path which enables the sheet
10 requiring such handling to be transported individually. This can be
accomplished by disposing the stack of sheets that are not currently being
processed individually away from the single sheet in first path 46. In this
manner the sheet requiring individual handling can be transferred to path 150
or such other location as may be necessary without causing the remaining
15 stack to undergo transport to an undesirable location.
A further alternative to facilitate individual handling of particular
sheets is represented by the alternative embodiment shown in Figure 19. In
this embodiment path 46 includes three separately controlled transport
sections
164, 166 and 168. Transport section 164 is similar to the transport previously
20 discussed, except that its belts terminate at rolls 170 and 172. Transport
section 166 may include an interwoven belt transport similar to that shown in
Figure 5 with the exception that its belts are offset from those in transport
section 164. Transport section 166 may be driven by one or more independent
reversible drives from transport section 164. The drive for transport section
25 166 is in operative connection with and operates under the control of the
control circuitry.
Transport section 166 terminates in rolls 174 and 176. Rolls 174 and
176 are coaxial with other rolls that are spaced intermediate thereto that are
part of transport section 168. Transport section 168 terminates at rolls 178
and
30 180 which are adjacent to a customer accessible opening indicated 182.
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Transport section 168 is operated by at least one independent reversible drive
in response to the control circuitry.
Transport sections 166 and 168 along path 46 provide locations in
which documents or stacks of documents may be temporarily stored as other
documents are routed through intersections 60 and 76. After the necessary
processing is done on the individual documents, the documents that are
temporarily stored in the transport sections 166 and 168 may be moved to
other transport sections for further processing. It should be understood that
transport sections 166 and 168 include appropriate sensors for sensing the
positions of the documents being temporarily stored therein which enables the
control circuitry to coordinate movement thereof.
A further advantage of the exemplary embodiment described herein is
that not only may the automated banking machine 10 accept individual
documents and stacks of documents from a customer, but it may also accept
conventional deposit envelopes. As shown in Figure 17 a thick sheet like
deposit envelope 184 may be moved along path 46 from a customer. The
identification of the deposited item as a deposit envelope maybe made based
on readings from sensors 126, 128 or 130 as shown in Figure 4, or
alternatively or in addition based on customer inputs through one or more
input devices at the customer interface 12 of the machine.
Deposit envelope 184 moves in transport path 46 in the direction of
Arrow E as shown in Figure 17. Upon determining that the item moving in
the transport path is a deposit envelope, the control circuitry operates the
sheet
directing apparatus 110 to direct the envelope into transport path 42. The
control circuitry also enables roll 96 and belts 88 to move in the direction
indicated by Arrow F. This causes the flight of belt 88 to move to the
position
shown in phantom in Figure 4. This enables the envelope to move into the
depository device 40 (see Figure 3) in which it may be stacked in aligned
relation with other envelopes. Further the control circuitry may also operate
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transport 118 and rolls 124 shown in Figure 4 to assure that envelope 184 does
not pass further along sheet transport path 42 than the depository 40.
The ability of the embodiment of the automated banking machine to
handle depository envelopes, stacks of sheets and individual sheets, provides
enhanced functionality for the machine. The ability of the exemplary
embodiment to accept thick items in the area of path 42 adjacent to the
intersection, also enables the control circuitry to use the area adjacent to
the
intersection as a temporary storage location for stacks of sheets. This may be
desirable in some embodiments where a receipt form is delivered on transport
path 74 and must be directed to transport path 150 for printing thereon before
being combined with a stack to be delivered to a customer.
The exemplary embodiment of the ATM has the capability of storing
the assembled stack of sheets adjacent to intersection 60 in transport path 42
until such time as the printed receipt is moved into the intersection along
first
path 46. As the receipt form is produced by a document producing device and
moved into the intersection 60 by transport section 100, the stack is moved
into the intersection in coordinated relation therewith so that the printed
receipt is assembled into the stack and positioned at the top side of the
stack.
The assembled stack may be moved along transport path 46 to the opening
where it may be taken by the customer.
In some embodiments the ATM may also operate to provide certain
types of documents in exchange for other documents. As previously
discussed, some embodiments may receive checks or other instruments,
validate the check, and provide the user with currency notes. In some
embodiments, a user may provide notes to the ATM and receive other types of
documents such as money orders, scrip, vouchers, gift certificates or bank
checks. In some embodiments the control circuitry may operate in the manner
previously discussed to store information concerning individual notes in a
data
store in correlated relation with information usable to identify the user who
deposited the notes in the machine. Some embodiments may store in
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correlated relation with all or a portion of such data, information which
identifies the check, money order or other document provided by the machine
to the user.
In some embodiments the ability of a single user to provide cash to the
ATM may be controlled or limited to avoid money laundering or other suspect
activities. For example, a user placing notes in the ATM to purchase money
orders or other documents, may be required to provide at least one identifying
input. This may include a biometric input such as a thumbprint for example.
Such at least one identifying input may include data on a card or other device
a
user provides to operate the machine, or may be in lieu thereof or in addition
thereto. Alternatively, some embodiments may enable use of the ATM to buy
documents such as money orders, gift certificates or other documents without
using a card or similar device to access the machine. In some cases a user
may exchange notes of certain denominations for notes of other
denominations. In such cases the control circuitry may require at least one
identifying input from the user requesting to exchange cash for other
documents.
The control circuitry may operate in accordance with programmed
instructions and parameters to limit the number or value of documents a user
may purchase or otherwise receive. This may include comparing user
identifying data with data input in connection with prior transactions. This
may be done by comparing user input data stored in a data store at the
particular ATM, and/or data stored in computers connected to the ATM. By
limiting the number or value of documents a user can purchase with cash,
either overall, for a particular document or within a given time period, the
risk
of illegal activities such as money laundering can be minimized. Further such
systems may more readily enable funds to be tracked.
An alternative embodiment of an automated banking machine is
indicated 186 in Figure 22. Machine 186 is similar to machine 10 except that
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it includes two fascias and customer interfaces designated 188 and 190.
Machine 186 is capable of operation by two users generally simultaneously.
The sheet handling mechanism for machine 186 is indicated 192 in
Figure 21. The sheet handling mechanism 192 is similar to that described in
the first embodiment, except as otherwise noted. Mechanism 192 includes a
first customer accessible opening 194 in customer interface 190, and a second
customer accessible opening 196 in customer interface 188. Customer
opening 196 receives and delivers sheets through a transport section 197.
Transport section 197 is preferably an interwoven belt type transport of the
type shown in Figure 5 and is capable of moving sheets, envelopes and stacks
of sheets in engagement therewith. Transport section 197 is operated by a
reversible drive similar to the reversible drives used for the other belt
transport
sections, and is in operative connection with the control circuitry of the
machine.
The operation of the alternative sheet handling mechanism 192 is
similar to that previously described except that the sheets, envelopes or
stacks
of sheets that are processed may be received from or delivered to either
customer opening 194 or customer opening 196. Because of the high speed
capability of the exemplary embodiment, it is possible for the sheet handling
mechanism 192 to adequately service two users simultaneously without undue
delay.
As will be appreciated from the foregoing description, the
modifications necessary for the sheet handling mechanism of the first
embodiment to accommodate two simultaneous users is relatively modest. In
the exemplary embodiment it is possible to increase the number of customer
interfaces on the machine from one to two at a relatively small cost. This is
particularly advantageous for an automated teller machine positioned in a high
customer traffic area. It is also useful for automated banking machines, such
as those used by tellers to count and dispense currency notes. This is because
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the configuration of the sheet handling mechanism enables two tellers or other
personnel to be serviced by a single machine.
Exemplary embodiments may operate to assure operation in
accordance with the principles of U.S. Patent No. 6,315,194, the disclosure of
5 which is incorporated by reference as if fully rewritten herein.
Figure 24 shows schematically an exemplary system 200 and the steps
in an associated method for handling documents such as notes of questionable
validity or invalid documents or notes that have been received by an
automated banking machine 202. Banking machine 202 may be similar to
10 ATMs 10 or 186 previously described or may have a different construction.
In
the exemplary embodiment the automated banking machine includes an
assessing device for assessing the validity of documents such as notes that
are
deposited by a user into the machine in the course of one or more
transactions.
The assessing device operates as previously described in connection with a
15 controller, control circuitry or other devices in the machine to identify
documents of questionable validity and/or invalid documents.
As can be appreciated from the description herein and the incorporated
disclosure, some notes that are deposited in the machine may be determined to
be invalid such as a clearly counterfeit note or other document that is not a
20 note. Other documents that are deposited in the machine may be determined
through operation of the assessing device to be more likely than not to be
valid
notes, but which nonetheless do not qualify as documents which the machine
accepts as unquestionably valid. Of course it should be appreciated that the
determination as to what parameters qualify a particular note or other type of
25 document in the machine as unquestionably valid, of questionable validity
or
invalid may in some embodiments be set by the operator of the machine and/or
by appropriate authorities within the jurisdiction in which the machine is
operated.
In an exemplary embodiment the automated banking machine 202
30 operates to accept documents of questionable validity, but marks such
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41
documents with at least one removable mark so that each document may be
tracked and later further assessed as valid or invalid. In the exemplary
embodiment of the system 200 shown in Figure 24, the machine 202
communicates through a network 204 with one or more computers which are
remotely located. Such remote computers may include computers located at a
bank, financial institution or other source of monetary value schematically
indicated 206. A user operating the exemplary ATM 202 generally identifies
themselves or an account in the manner previously discussed and conducts
transactions which may include presenting or receiving documents such as
notes. When a user conducts a transaction on an account, the ATM 202
communicates messages through the network 204 to one or more bank
computers 206 to authorize and record the transaction. Such transactions
generally have associated indicia which is stored at the ATM, the bank or
other computers in the network, for purposes of documenting the transaction
and settling accounts between users, machine operators, banks and other
entities that may be involved in transactions that are conducted. One or more
indicators which may be associated with a transaction may include a unique
transaction number associated with a particular transaction in which a
document is presented. The transaction number may correspond to a
transaction at a particular date, time, and ATM. Alternatively or in addition
an indicator associated with the transaction may include information on the
account of the user or other entity on whose behalf the transaction is
conducted. Alternatively or in addition an indicator associated with the
transaction may include biometric or other data concerning the particular
individual conducting the transaction or having the account. Of course
indicators may comprise combinations of such information as well as data
from other sources.
In an exemplary embodiment when the ATM 202 receives a document
which is assessed as being of questionable validity, the control circuitry
which
is alternatively referred to herein as a controller or processor operating in
the
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ATM, is operative to associate such one or more indicators with the
transaction. Further in the exemplary embodiment of a system 200, the control
circuitry is operative to cause the ATM to communicate through the network
with the appropriate bank 206 to grant a credit to the user for having
provided
a valid document to the machine. In some embodiments one or more
computers at the bank or otherwise connected to the network may further.
receive from the controller in the ATM an indication that the machine has
received the questionable document from the particular user that requires
subsequent assessment. Alternatively or in addition the ATM may provide
further information about the questionable document for which a credit has
been given. Such information may include for example a serial number from
the document, an image of the document or other identifying information
related to the particular document which enables the document to be uniquely
identified. Other information may include transaction information
corresponding to a particular account, date, time, and ATM. In some
embodiments the credit that a user or account receives related to a document
of questionable validity may be specifically indicated by the controller in
the
ATM, the bank or both, as being a provisional credit which may be revoked if
the document is not later verified as valid. Alternatively in some embodiments
the credit granted for a document of questionable validity may be the same as
that granted for documents assessed as being of unquestionable validity.
In the exemplary embodiment documents assessed as of questionable
validity in the ATM are moved in the ATM to a marking device such as
printing device 70. The printing device is operative to place a mark on the
document that is of questionable validity. In the exemplary embodiment the
marking device is operative responsive to the control circuitry of the ATM to
mark the document with a removable mark. The removable mark in some
exemplary embodiments may comprise removable ink which can be
subsequently removed from a document without damaging the inks or other
features that are normally required to be on the document. Alternatively the
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marking device may apply a removable label, sticker or other subsequently
removable item to the document which identifies the particular document as of
questionable validity. The marking of a document may also comprise
generating unique identifying information which corresponds to a particular
unacceptable document, such as corresponding to a serial number on a
currency note. The particular document can be kept separated. The document
information can be of a suitable format, e.g., digital images, permitting
storage
thereof in computer memory. The stored document information may be
comparable to information in a database to check for improprieties. For
example, a serial number on a currency note may match a serial number in a
database watch list. Other comparisons may show that the serial number
matches a document that was already destroyed. Other comparisons involving
computers in real time may show that the serial number matches a document
currently in another ATM. The comparing may involve a global computer
network capable of accurately tracking currency in the domain of banks,
governments, etc.
In some exemplary embodiments the removable mark includes at least
a portion of the indicator associated with the transaction. As previously
discussed such indicators may include all or portions of the unique
transaction
number, account number, user identifying data, biometric data or other data
which is suitable for use by the system. In the exemplary embodiment the
indicator provides specific information so that the particular document can be
later identified and the particular user or entity on whose behalf the
document
has been placed in the machine can later be notified and any credit granted
for
the document revoked if the document is later determined not to be valid.
In some exemplary embodiments the marking device is operative to
mark documents assessed as having questionable validity with a mark
comprising visible inks which are visible to users under ambient lighting
conditions. Alternatively or in addition marks applied to documents may
comprise nonvisible ink or similar materials. In some exemplary
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embodiments the removable mark may comprise a removable ink which is
visible or detectable only when exposed to radiation within a certain
frequency
range. This may include for example exposure to concentrated ultraviolet
light, infrared light or other frequencies. Alternatively or in addition the
markings maybe comprised of machine readable indicia such as bar code or
other indicia corresponding to biometric or other data. Of course it should be
understood that these approaches are exemplary and in other embodiments
other types of removable marks and indicators may be used.
In operation of the exemplary ATM 202 documents of questionable
validity after being marked with the removable mark, are stored in a first
storage location in the machine. The first storage location in the exemplary
embodiment is a location for storing documents which have been marked and
is a different location than the storage locations which are used to store
documents that have been assessed as valid. Thus for example in an
exemplary embodiment documents that are received by the machine from a
user in the course of a first transaction which are assessed as being of
questionable validity are marked with the removable mark and placed in a first
storage location. Other documents which are assessed as valid are stored in
one or more appropriate second storage locations. As a result a document
stored in the second location may be later dispensed from the machine to
another user in the course of a second transaction in which the subsequent
user
requests the dispense of such a document.
In some embodiments the removable mark applied to documents of
questionable validity is such that the documents may be subsequently assessed
or later discussed without removal of the mark. This may include for example
marking the documents in locations that do not change or obscure security
features or other aspects of the documents that must be assessed to determine
validity. Alternatively the marking may be applied in ink or color of a
particular type that does not interfere with a subsequent assessing operation
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with the removable mark still in place. Of course in other embodiments other
approaches maybe used.
In exemplary ATM 202 documents that are assessed as invalid by the
assessing device are captured by the machine. For such documents the control
5 circuitry and other connected computers do not operate to give the user or
account holder any credit for such documents. In addition the exemplary
ATM 202 includes a device for applying a permanent mark to documents
assessed to be invalid. As previously discussed such marking devices for
applying a permanent mark may include printing devices which apply a
10 permanent ink or other material to the invalid document. Alternatively the
invalid documents may be totally or partially torn, punched or otherwise
mutilated so as to be sure that they will not be readily placed in
circulation. In
some embodiments information concerning the invalid documents may be
passed by the machine to the network 204 and to the bank 206. The bank may
15 thereafter communicate through one or more communication systems 208 to
the proper authorities 210 for purposes of investigating the circumstances and
the source of the invalid documents. Such information may include images of
documents, information about the particular user or account associated with
deposit of the document, or other information that will facilitate the
20 investigation of the source and/or circumstances surrounding the particular
document. Of course such an invalid document may also be stored in an
appropriate storage location in the machine for purposes of tracking and later
transmission to the authorities who investigate the circumstances related to
the
presentation of the invalid document. Of course this approach is exemplary
25 and in other embodiments other approaches may be used.
As schematically indicated in Figure 24 in the exemplary system 200
documents of questionable validity indicated 212 are removed from the ATM
machine and transported to an assessing operation schematically indicated
214. In some embodiments documents assessed to be invalid as well as
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documents assessed to be of questionable validity may be transported to the
assessing operation.
It should be appreciated that while the assessing operation 214 of the
exemplary embodiment is shown as indicated remotely from the ATM
machine, in some embodiments the assessing operation may be conducted
adjacent to or even within the automated banking machine.
In the exemplary assessing operation notes of questionable validity are
subject to an assessing activity schematically indicated 216. It should be
appreciated that the assessing activity 216 may involve machine sensing as
well as human sensing of the particular document. As schematically
represented by document 218, in the assessing activity the document is
preferably assessed for validity with the removable mark 220 remaining in
place thereon. As previously discussed this is facilitated in some
embodiments by locating the removable mark in an area which does not
include significant security features or by providing the removable mark in an
ink or other material that does not interfere with assessing the validity of
the
document. Of course these approaches are exemplary and in other
embodiments other approaches may be used.
During the assessing activity, the note or other document of
questionable validity is reviewed again to determine whether the document is
valid or invalid. In an exemplary embodiment where the document is
determined to be valid, the assessing activity through the operation of one or
more computers, processors or other devices, communicates messages to the
bank 206 and confirms that the particular document is valid. This is
represented schematically by a function 222. In response to confirmation that
the particular document is valid, the bank 206 or other appropriate entities
may
take action to remove the provisional nature of the credit previously
associated
with the deposit of the document. Of course as previously discussed in
alternative embodiments such confirmation may not be necessary as no
provision is made to make the credit provisional.
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In the exemplary embodiment the assessing operation is operative to
remove the removable marks from the notes assessed as valid. This is
represented by a function 224. The removal of the mark may include the
washing and drying of notes with appropriate materials so as to remove the
removable mark while not damaging the particular document. This may
include for example washing the note with a water-based material and drying
the note so as to remove the mark. Alternatively in situations where
removable labels or other items have been applied such items are removed in
the course of function 224. Of course in some embodiments particularly in
cases where the mark is not visible to the naked eye, it may not be necessary
to
remove the removable mark from the particular document. Whether the
removable mark is removed will depend on the particular system, the nature of
the mark and the requirement of the particular entity operating the system or
the authorities responsible for the document.
The exemplary assessing operation also includes a fitness assessment
function schematically indicated 226. The fitness assessment function in the
exemplary embodiment is operative to review the document to determine if its
character is such that it should be returned to general circulation or
transferred
to appropriate authorities to be removed from circulation. For example in the
case of currency notes that are worn or permanently marked or disfigured, it
may be appropriate to deliver such notes for destruction to a central bank or
other authority. This will generally avoid further circulation of the note and
the need to conduct subsequent analysis in the event that the note should
again
be presented and assessed to be of questionable validity. Alternatively as
schematically represented in Figure 24, if the document is determined through
the fitness assessing function 226 to be suitable to return to circulation,
the
document is routed to the operations of the bank or other entity responsible
for
the assessing operation and maybe returned to circulation. This may include
for example placing the document in a cassette or other container that may be
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returned to an automated banking machine at which the document may be
dispensed in the course of subsequent transactions.
In the exemplary assessing operation 214 if the document is
determined to be invalid during accessing activity 216, notice is given to the
bank or other entity to revoke the provisional or regular credit. This is
represented by a function 228. In the exemplary embodiment the assessing
operation is operative to communicate through one or more computers or
processors with the bank 206 that the particular document has been assessed
as invalid. In response to receiving such notice, the bank operates to revoke
the credit that has been given to the particular user or account holder
responsible for presenting the document. Because the particular user may face
problems with their account if they are not made aware that the credit for the
document has been revoked, in the exemplary embodiment the bank 206
notifies the user or account holder that the provisional credit has been
revoked.
This step is schematically represented 230.
When a document has been determined to be invalid, it may also be
appropriate for the bank or other entity to notify the appropriate authorities
210 of the nature of the transaction and/or the invalid document. As
schematically represented in Figure 24, in situations where the document is
assessed as invalid, the document is maintained with the marking thereon as
represented schematically by a function 232. The document may be
maintained with the removable marking thereon and appropriately segregated
to avoid any tampering or subsequent distribution of the particular document
except to the proper authorities. This may facilitate maintaining an accurate
chain of custody for purposes of conducting an investigation of the user or
the
particular circumstances under which the invalid document was presented to
the machine. For example authorities responsible for investigating instances
of counterfeit currency may need to obtain the marked document and
information related to the transaction and the user for purposes of
investigating
illegal activity.
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Although the exemplary system 200 has been described in connection
with documents of questionable validity, such a system may also be used with
documents assessed to be invalid. For example documents assessed as invalid
by the ATM 202 may nonetheless be reassessed in the assessing operation for
purposes of determining if in fact the document is valid. Alternatively in
some
embodiments documents assessed as invalid may also be marked with a
removable mark rather than a permanent mark. Likewise in some
embodiments all documents of questionable validity or invalid may be marked
with permanent markings. Such markings may be desirable in some
circumstances as documents that cannot be assessed as valid may be
appropriately marked so as to remove them from circulation. If a document
originally assessed as clearly invalid is determined through an assessing
operation to in fact be valid, appropriate messages may be sent to the bank or
other entities to indicate to the user, account holder or other authorities,
that
the document was determined to be valid.
It should be understood that system 200 is exemplary and in other
embodiments other approaches, devices and method steps may be utilized.
Thus the exemplary embodiment of an automated banking machine
and associated methods of the present invention achieves at least some of the
above stated objectives, eliminates difficulties encountered in the use of
prior
devices and systems, solves problems and attains the desirable results
described herein.
In the foregoing description certain terms have been used for brevity,
clarity and understanding. However, no unnecessary limitations are to be
implied therefrom because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and
are intended to be broadly construed. Moreover the descriptions and
illustrations given are by way of examples and the invention is not limited to
the exact details shown or described.
In the following claims any feature described as a means for
performing a function shall be construed as encompassing any means known
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to those skilled in the art to be capable of performing the recited function,
and
not mere equivalents of the particular means described in the foregoing
description. The inclusion of an Abstract shall not be deemed to limit the
claimed invention to the features described in such Abstract.
5 Having described the features, discoveries and principles of the
invention, the manner in which it is constructed and operated, and the
advantages and useful results attained; the new and useful structures,
devices,
elements, arrangements, parts, combinations, systems, equipment, operations,
methods and relationships are set forth in the appended claims.
