Abstract:
A self-service terminal ( 10 ) comprises: a fascia ( 12 ) having a note entry/exit slot ( 56 ); and a note processing module ( 60 ) for processing notes deposited via the slot. The note processing module ( 60 ) includes a note transport mechanism ( 70, 70 A) for transporting notes between the slot and a note imaging means ( 74 ) arranged to scan the notes at a first speed. The transport mechanism includes a loop ( 70 A) arranged to transport notes through the imaging means ( 74 ) a second time at a second speed, the first speed being greater than said second speed.

Description:
The present invention relates to a self-service terminal (SST), such as an automated teller machine (ATM). In particular, the invention relates to an SST adapted for bank note deposit as well as dispensing. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     When bank notes are deposited at an ATM it is necessary to determine if the notes are legal or counterfeit. One process used in this determination is the taking of an image of each deposited note. This is achieved using a high resolution, at 100 dots per inch (DPI) or greater camera system. In addition it is now a legal requirement, of some licensing authorities such as the European Central Bank, to be able to trace each deposited note back to the customer who deposited the note. 
     As every bank note carries a serial number, printed in substantially the same place with standard sized characteristics, it would seem ideal to use the imaging technology within the ATM to trace the notes. Each note can then be referred to the user who deposited the note. However, notes can be deposited, as customers demand, at very high speeds (greater than 5 notes per second). At this speed the recognition engine comprising the high resolution camera operates at closer to 40 DPI. This resolution is sufficient to recognize the image of a note, but it is not good enough to read a serial number off of a note. 
     Therefore, it would appear that in order to utilize imaging to trace notes to a user very much more expensive higher resolution cameras and optics will be required. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is among the objects of an embodiment of the present invention to obviate or mitigate the above disadvantage or other disadvantages of prior art self-service terminals. 
     According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a self-service terminal comprising: a fascia having a note entry/exit slot; and a note processing module for processing notes deposited via the slot, the note processing module including a note transport mechanism for transporting notes between the slot and a note imaging means, the imaging means being arranged to scan the notes at a first speed, the transport mechanism including a loop arranged to transport notes through the imaging means a second time at a second speed, said first speed being greater than said second speed. 
     Preferably, the terminal comprises means for making a determination as to the validity of the note prior to imaging the note for a second time and wherein only notes that are considered to be invalid are imaged a second time. 
     Preferably, the terminal comprises a storage bin transport means arranged to transport imaged notes to the storage bin. 
     Preferably, the terminal further comprises a reject bin and transport means arranged to transport an imaged note to the reject bin if a determination is made that the note is invalid. 
     Alternatively, the terminal comprises an exit chute and transport means arranged to transport an imaged note back to the user if a determination is made that the note is invalid and the terminal determines that the user who deposited the note is still operating the terminal. 
     According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a note processing module including a note transport mechanism for transporting notes between the slot and a note imaging means, the imaging means being arranged to scan the notes at a first speed, the transport mechanism including a loop arranged to transport notes through the imaging means a second time at a second speed, said first speed being greater than said second speed. 
     According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of depositing a bank note, the method comprising the steps of: transporting a bank note between an entrance slot and a note imaging means, utilizing the imaging means to scan the notes at a first speed, transporting said notes through the imaging means a second time at a second speed, wherein said first speed is greater than said second speed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other aspects of the present invention will be apparent from the following specific description, given by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a pictorial diagram of a self-service terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a simplified schematic sectional diagram showing a part (the deposit module) of the terminal of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a pictorial diagram of a part (the lower dispense area) of the terminal illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart illustrating the steps involved in a deposit operation; and 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating the steps involved in an alternative deposit operation. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference is first made to  FIG. 1 , which illustrates a self-service terminal  10  in the form of a deposit ATM. The ATM  10  comprises a fascia  12  pivotably coupled to a chassis (not shown); an upper panel  14  mounted to the chassis and defining an aperture  16  through which a camera (not shown) images a user of the ATM  10 ; and a lower panel  18  hingeably coupled to the chassis (not shown) so that the lower panel  18  can be opened to reveal a safe (not shown) mounted in the chassis (not shown). 
     When the lower panel  18  is open, the fascia  12  can be pivoted upwards to reveal ATM modules mounted within the chassis (not shown). 
     The fascia  12  and lower panel  18  provide a user interface  20  for allowing a user to execute a transaction. The fascia  12  includes a handset  30  and a telephone keypad  32  for allowing a user to contact a remote operator (not shown) typically located in a call center (not shown). The fascia  12  also includes an encrypting keyboard  34  for allowing a user to enter transaction details, and a display  36  for presenting screens to a user. 
     The fascia  12  also defines eight slots for receiving and dispensing media items, and a tray  40  into which coins can be dispensed. The slots include: a money order printer slot  42 , a bunch note input slot  44 , a bunch note exit slot  46 , a statement output slot  48 , a cash dispense slot  50 , a card reader slot  52 , a card issue slot  54 , and a note input/output slot  56 . The slots  42  to  56  and tray  40  are arranged so that when the fascia  12  is closed, the slots and tray align with corresponding ATM modules mounted within the ATM&#39;s chassis (not shown). 
     The user interface features described above are all provided on an NCR PERSONAS™ 5878 financial services center ATM, available from NCR Financial Solutions Group Limited, Discovery Center, 3 Fulton Road, Dundee, DD2 4SW, Scotland. 
     However, in this embodiment of the invention an NCR PERSONAS™ 5878 ATM has been modified to include a lower dispense area  58 . The dispense area  58  is located beneath the note input/output slot  56  and is fed by a deposit module  60  located within the ATM chassis (not shown). 
     The deposit module  60  will now be described with reference to  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 2  is a simplified schematic sectional diagram (along line  2 - 2  in  FIG. 1 ) showing part of the fascia  12  and lower panel  18 , and the main parts of the module  60 .  FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating the main elements in the module  60 . 
     The module  60  is a modified version of a conventional deposit module. 
     The module  60  comprises the following elements: a note input/output transport mechanism  70  including an alignment mechanism for aligning a note; a MICR head  72  for reading magnetic details on a code line of a note (if present); an imager  74  including an upper  74   a  and lower  74   b  CCD camera for capturing an image of each side of a note (front and rear); a printer  76  and a storage bin  78  for storing processed notes. The transport mechanism  70  includes two divert gates  80   a ,  80   b  for diverting notes to either a reject bin  82  or a chute bin  84 . The elements ( 70  to  82 ) are conventional and will not be described in detail herein. 
     The module  60  also includes a controller  86  for controlling the operation of the elements ( 70  to  80 ) within the module  60 . 
     The chute bin  84  includes a chute  88  in the form of a steep, sloping plastics guide arranged to deliver a note from the transport mechanism  70  to the dispense area  58  using the force of gravity. 
     The module  60  also includes an entrance shutter  90  for opening and closing the input/output slot  56 , and a dispense area shutter  92  for allowing user access to the chute  88 . 
     A typical transaction will now be described with reference to  FIG. 4 , which is a flowchart illustrating the steps involved, in one embodiment, in depositing a note. 
     Initially, a user enters an account card into the card reader slot  52 , selects “deposit” from a list of transaction options presented on the display  36 , and inserts the note to be deposited through the input/output slot  56  (step  100 ). 
     The module controller  30  opens the slot shutter  90  to receive the note, and transports the received note (step  110 ) to the imager  74  where both sides of the note are imaged (step  112 ). 
     A determination is then made as to the validity of the note (step  114 ). If the note is not considered to be valid then the note is transported around the loop  70 A at a lower speed than previously (step  116 ), allowing the camera to re-image the note such that these images have a relatively higher resolution (e.g., 100 DPI) than the previous images. In this way a clear image of the serial number on the note can be obtained. The serial number can now be associated together with the user conducting the transaction, and both can be stored in an ATM transaction log (e.g., using the journal printer) to allow subsequent investigation of this transaction should such investigation be necessary (such as if the note is subsequently determined to be counterfeit). 
     As this re-imaging happens, the time taken does not impinge on deposit transaction times as witnessed by the user. During this process the same user can be accessing other ATM services or a subsequent user can be gaining access to the ATM services by entering his or her account card and PIN etc. in the usual manner. During this second scan the serial number of the note is imaged. After the first scan valid notes are transported to the storage bin  78  ( FIG. 2 ) (step  118 ). 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 5  the terminal is arranged to re-scan all deposited notes, without first making a determination as to the validity of the note. In all other ways the embodiment of  FIG. 5  is the same as that of  FIG. 4 . 
     Various modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment within the scope of the invention. In addition, although the invention has been described in terms of bank notes other financial instruments such as checks can be deposited in the same manner and the term “note” in the invention as claimed is intended to cover that possibility. Also, this document and related drawings refer to a single note acceptor. However, the invention will also apply to a bunch note acceptor with an ESCROW or some means of storing the notes.