Registers – Systems controlled by data bearing records – Banking systems
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-19
2001-11-13
Pitts, Harold I. (Department: 2876)
Registers
Systems controlled by data bearing records
Banking systems
C902S014000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06315194
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to automated transaction machines. Specifically, the invention relates to an automated transaction machine capable of verifying that the delivery path to the customer is operable prior to dispensing sheet materials.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Automated transaction machines are known in the prior art. A common type of automated transaction machine is an automated teller machine (ATM). ATMs have been developed which are capable of performing a variety of transactions including the dispensing of currency notes. ATMs are commonly used by individuals to receive cash from their accounts, to pay bills, to transfer cash between accounts, and to make deposits. Certain ATMs also have the capability of delivering and receiving various types of sheet materials. For example, some ATMs dispense materials such as tickets, travelers checks, money orders, bank checks, scrip, stamps, vouchers, gaming materials, lottery tickets, transit tokens, or other sheet materials stored in or produced by the machine. Other types of transaction machines dispense notes and other types of sheets to users such as bank tellers, cashiers, and other service providers. Automated transaction machines generally dispense such materials while operating to enable appropriate charges and credits to be applied to the respective accounts of the customer, the machine owner, and/or the provider of the dispensed materials. For purposes of this description an automated transaction machine will be considered as any machine that carries out transactions including transfers of value.
Customers also commonly 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.
ATMs currently in use often have different areas 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.
Automated transaction machines that dispense notes or other types of sheets representative of value are generally constructed to prevent unauthorized persons from accessing the supply of sheets held inside the machine. Automated transaction machines typically include a generally secure chest or enclosure. The interior of the enclosure includes storage areas for currency notes and other types of sheet materials. Automated transaction machines may include several different passageways, devices and transports which operate to deliver sheet materials from storage areas in the machine to users.
Unfortunately, some unscrupulous individuals on rare occasions are successful in tampering with the machine. Sometimes this is done by placing objects through a sheet delivery opening. Such tampering may corrupt the operation of the machine and prevent the final delivery of sheet materials to the customer. Therefore, a customer's account may be charged the value of the requested sheet materials without the customer ever receiving the sheet materials. In some cases such unscrupulous individuals may return to the machine after the sheets of an authorized user have become trapped inside the machine near the delivery opening and attempt to extract them.
Thus there exists a need for an automated transaction machine that reduces the risk that the sheet delivery capability of the machine will be corrupted. There further exists a need for an automated transaction machine which is capable of verifying that the sheet material delivery path to the customer is properly operable prior to attempting to deliver at least some sheet materials from the machine. There further exists a need for an automated transaction machine with a reduced risk of tampering.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an automated transaction machine.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an automated transaction machine which has an enhanced level of security.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an automated transaction machine that enables verification of the operation of the sheet dispenser path.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method for operation of an automated transaction machine in which a sheet delivery path verification test method is conducted prior to dispensing at least one of the sheets requested by a user.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method for operation of an automated transaction machine in which a first sheet, such as a test sheet, a coupon, promotional material or a low denomination currency sheet, is first dispensed prior to dispensing other sheets requested by the customer.
It is a further object of the present invention to verify that the sheet dispensing path in the machine to the customer is fully functional prior to dispensing sheets of substantial monetary value.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an automated transaction machine that may be readily configured to provide a plurality of banking transactions.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an automated transaction machine that is economical to manufacture and operate.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an automated transaction machine that accepts and delivers various types of sheets and documents.
Further objects of the present invention will be made apparent in the following Best Modes for Carrying Out Invention and the appended claims.
The foregoing objects are accomplished in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention by an automated transaction machine. The machine includes therein a transport arrangement which moves sheets or stacks of sheets from one or more sheet storage areas in the machine, along one or more transport paths, to a dispenser outlet opening accessible by the customer.
In operation of the machine, a machine controller including a processor operates responsive to programmed instructions to carry out steps to verify that the sheet dispensing path is open and working properly prior to attempting to complete a requested sheet material dispensing transaction. In one exemplary form of such instructions the machine, after receiving a request for a transaction from the customer which requires the dispensing of sheets, operates so that a sheet, such as a test sheet, a coupon, promotional material, or a low denomination currency sheet, is first sent through the dispenser path to a customer accessible sheet outlet opening. At least one sensor verifies whether the sent sheet actually reached the area of the customer accessible sheet outlet opening. If the sent sheet is verified as having reached the sheet outlet opening, then the dispenser path is deemed operable by the controller. The requested sheet dispensing transaction may then proceed. However, if the test sheet is not verified as having reached the customer accessible sheet outlet opening, then the machine suspends dispensing operations and indicates that a malfunction has occurred.
Additionally, or in the alternative, the transaction machine may be programmed and arranged to self-test for proper dispensing path operation. This may be done periodically independent of user transactions, at the beginning or end of each transaction, or at other times. In conducting a self-test the controller may operate the machine so that the machine sends a sheet from a storage area to adjacent a customer accessible sheet outlet opening. At least one verification sensor positioned adjacent the sheet outlet opening would detect the sent sheet. Upon the sent sheet being detected at the sheet outlet opening, the sent sheet would then be moved within the machine so that it is moved to a separate divert storage area or recycled for reuse by being moved to a sheet storage area from which the sheet may again be dispensed.
REFERENCES:
patent: 6073837 (2000-06-01), Milne
patent: 0535543 (1993-04
Beaber Rod
Blackford Damon J.
Crews Tim
Graef H. Thomas
Diebold Incorporated
Jocke Ralph E.
Parmelee Christopher L.
Pitts Harold I.
Wasil Daniel D.
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