Abstract:
A media dispenser module for an ATM is provided which has a secure locking mechanism. The media dispenser module may include a casing that is separatably coupled to a discharge portion for media, including a media mounting portion, on which discharged media is mounted, and an opening portion for withdrawing the media mounted on the media mounting portion. A door moving device moves a door along a plane made by the opening portion, and a pair of catching portions are formed on both sides of the media mounting portion. A locking mechanism engages the catching portions when the door completely closes the opening portion so as not to open the door.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to an automated teller machine. 
   2. Background of the Related Art 
   Generally, an automated teller machine (ATM) or a cash dispenser (CD) is a system installed in an area where many people pass by such as bank, convenience store (CVS) or subway station. The ATM/CD allows a user withdraw cash with a simple operation. 
   When the user puts a card or a bankbook into an inlet (in some cases, the user inputs required information using an operator panel or using a portable communication device such as a mobile phone) and follows procedures using the operator buttons according to the instructions shown on a display device on a front surface, then media such as cash or check and a specification sheet are withdrawn according to the procedures. Generally, the specification sheet is withdrawn through a specification sheet outlet, and the media is provided through a media dispenser module (i.e., a customer access module) on the front surface. 
   However, in related art ATM/CDs, a structure for locking the opening/closing portion or door of the media customer access module is insecure and an unauthorized user can access the dispensed media improperly from the outside, for example, and steal the cash or check. For example, some customer access modules have a door that is locked with a mechanism located on only one side and therefore the locked status is not secure. When such a door is severely twisted to one side, the media can be removed or stolen. Further, a driving arm that extends away perpendicular to the door in a locking mechanism can also be overcome when the customer access module door is severely twisted, which allows unauthorized access. In addition, a locking mechanism accessible through the door can be easily robbed by an unauthorized intrusion from the outside. 
   The above references are incorporated by reference herein where appropriate for appropriate teachings of additional or alternative details, features and/or technical background. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   An object of the invention is to solve at least the above problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages described hereinafter. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a media dispensing module and an automated teller machine (ATM) having the same by which an interference with a door opening/closing device for opening/closing a door is reduced or prevented. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a media dispensing module and an automated teller machine (ATM) having the same that securely locks a door opening/closing device. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a media dispensing module and an automated teller machine (ATM) having the same that applies even pressure to a door opening/closing device through a locking mechanism. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a media dispensing module and an automated teller machine (ATM) having the same that uses a locking mechanism driving arm that extends parallel to a door opening/closing device or its direction of movement. 
   To achieve at least the above objects in whole or in part in accordance with the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided an apparatus that includes a casing operably coupled to receive dispensed media, a door that opens and closes the casing, wherein the door moves between a first position where the casing is open and the dispensed media is accessible to the outside and a second position where the casing is closed, wherein the door has a pair of catching portions respectively formed on both sides of the casing, and a lock that selectively engages the catching portions when the door is in the second position to prevent the door leaving the second position when engaged. 
   To further achieve at least the above objects in whole or in part in accordance with the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided a media dispenser module that includes a casing operably coupled to receive dispensed media that includes a media mounting portion that supports dispensed media and an opening portion that provides access to the media mounting portion, a door that moves by a door moving device to open and close the opening portion, wherein the door has a pair of catching portions formed to correspond to both respective sides of the media mounting portion, and locking unit for locking the catching portions when the door closes the opening portion. 
   To further achieve at least the above objects in whole or in part in accordance with the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided an automated teller machine (ATM) that includes a conveyor that is configured to convey media loaded on a media cassette, and a media dispenser module operably coupled to the conveyor, wherein the media dispenser module that includes a casing operably coupled to receive dispensed media that includes a media mounting portion that support dispensed media and an opening portion that provides access to the media mounting portion, a door that moves by a door moving device to open and close the opening portion, wherein the door has a pair of catching portions formed to correspond to both respective sides of the media mounting portion, and a locking mechanism that engages the catching portions when the door closes the opening portion, wherein the locking mechanism includes a pair of rotatable members that engage the catching portions when the door is closed, and a member driving portion installed on a side portion of the casing that rotatably moves the pair of members to release the engaged members when the door is opened, wherein the member driving portion extends substantially parallel and moves substantially perpendicular to a moving direction of the door. 
   Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained as particularly pointed out in the appended claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like elements wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a diagram of a side view showing an exemplary media dispenser module of an automated teller machine (ATM); 
       FIG. 2  is a diagram of a side view showing a status immediately before a door of the media dispenser module of  FIG. 1  is opened; 
       FIG. 3  is a diagram of a side view showing a status that the door of the media dispenser module of  FIG. 1  is opened; 
       FIG. 4  is a diagram of a side view showing a preferred embodiment of a media dispenser module of an ATM according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a diagram of a view showing some parts of a door and a casing in the media dispenser module of  FIG. 4 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a diagram of a partial side cross-sectional view showing locking of the media dispenser module of  FIG. 4 ; 
       FIG. 7  is a diagram that shows a cross-sectional view along line VII—VII in  FIG. 6 ; 
       FIG. 8  is a diagram that shows a cross-sectional view showing operations of the locking of the media dispenser module of  FIG. 4 ; and 
       FIG. 9  is a diagram showing the media dispenser module of  FIG. 4 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   As shown in  FIG. 1 , a cross-sectional view of an exemplary automated teller machine (ATM) can have a media dispensing module that includes a casing  10  having an inner space and an opening portion  11  on upper part on a front surface thereof, a media mounting portion  12  having a predetermined length and ‘U’ shape cross section that is installed in the casing  10  to be a bottom surface of the opening portion  11 , a door  20  and a hinge shaft  13  installed in the casing  10  in transverse direction on the front surface of the ATM. The door  20  preferably includes side portions  22  that are extendedly formed as sectors from both side ends of a curved surface portion  21 , which is formed to have larger radius of curvature than that of the opening portion  11  in order to cover the opening portion  11  of the casing  10 , and coupled to both ends of the hinge shaft  13  respectively. 
   Also, a catching recess  31  is formed on an inner surface of the curved surface portion  21  of the door  20 . A sliding surface portion  23  having predetermined width and length is installed on one inner lower end between the side surface portions  22  as protruded toward the media mounting portion  12 . 
   In addition, a motor  40  is mounted on one inner side of the casing  10 . A rotary arm  42  having a predetermined length is fixedly coupled to a motor shaft  41  of the motor  40 , and a roller  43  is coupled to a free end of the rotary arm  42 . And the roller  43  is installed to contact the sliding surface portion  23  of the door  20 . 
   The motor  40  and the motor shaft  41  are located on front lower side of the casing  10  separated a predetermined distance from the hinge shaft  13 , and the rotary arm  42  is coupled to the motor shaft  41  vertically. In addition, the roller  43  is rotatably coupled to side surface of the rotary arm  42 . The rotary arm  42  and the roller  43  are located between an outer side surface of the casing and an inner surface of the side surface portion  22  of the door  20 . 
   In addition, a solenoid  30  and a link  32  connected to the solenoid  30  are coupled to the other side surface of the casing  10 , that is, the opposite side of the motor  40 . A long hole  33  is formed on one end of the link  32 , and a guide pin  34  that is fixedly installed on outer wall of the media mounting portion  12  is inserted into the long hole  33 . In addition, one end of the link  32  is located inside the catching recess  31  of the door curved surface portion  21  in a state that the door  20  is closed and is extended through the door  20  to be accessable when the door  20  is closed. The guide pin  34  guides the link  32  to be located on the catching recess  31  of the door  20 . 
   In addition, a conveyor  50  for conveying the media loaded on a media cassette (not shown) and dropping the media on the media mounting portion  12  is located on rear upper side of the casing  10 . Sensors S for sensing whether or not the media is loaded on the media mounting portion  12  are mounted respectively on the media mounting portion  12  and on one side of the casing  10 . 
   Operations of the media dispenser module in the ATM as shown in  FIG. 1  will now be described. After the user inputs the information needed for withdrawing the media such as bills and checks, the media paying processes are performed. Then, the media required by the user is conveyed by the conveyor and piled on the media mounting portion  12 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
   When the media requested by the user is all provided on the media mounting portion  12 , the motor  40  drives to rotate the motor shaft  41 . Accordingly, the rotary arm  42  is rotated as a certain angle centering around the motor shaft  41 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
   At that time, the solenoid  30  is operated with the driving of the motor  40  to pull the link  32  connected to the solenoid  30 . Accordingly, and the end of the link  32  that is located on the catching recess  31  of the curved surface portion  21  on the door  20  is moved to release the locked door  20 . 
   As the rotary arm  42  rotates, the roller  43  coupled to the free end of the rotary arm  42  is moved along with the sliding surface portion  23  of the door  20 , and then the door  20  is pulled downward as shown in  FIGS. 1–3 . In addition, the door  20  rotates a certain angle centering around the hinge shaft  13 , and accordingly the curved surface portion  21  of the door  20  is moved downward to open the opening portion  11 . 
   The user is able to withdraw the media (M) mounted on the media mounting portion  12  through the opened or exposed opening portion  11 . In addition, after the user withdraws the media mounted on the media mounting portion  12 , the door  20  is closed after a pre-set time passes by sensing of the sensor S. 
   The door is closed through processes such that the motor  40  is reversibly rotated to rotate the rotary arm  42  in a reverse direction until located at the original position. At the same time, a tension spring (not shown) coupled to the door  20  makes the door  20  rotate centering around the hinge shaft  13 . Thus, the curved surface portion  21  is moved toward upper part to close the opening portion  11 . 
   At that time, the link  32  is moved in the shaft direction by the operation of the solenoid  30 , and then, is located in the catching recess  31  of the curved surface portion  21  of the door  20 . In this manner, the door  20  is fixed. 
   However, in the ATM as shown in  FIGS. 1–3 , the structure for locking the door  20  opening/closing the opening portion  11  of the casing  10  retains the door  20  from only one side of the door  20 . Therefore, the locked-up status of the door  20  is not firm and safe. Also, if the door  20  is severely twisted to one side, the media M can be accessible to an unauthorized user. 
   A preferred embodiment of a media dispenser module of an ATM according to the present invention will now be described. As shown in  FIGS. 4 through 8 , a preferred embodiment of a media dispenser module includes a casing  100  coupled to a discharge portion  510  of a conveyor  500  that conveys the media from a media cassette (not shown) in which the media is loaded. The casing  100  can include an opening portion  110 , a media mounting portion  120 , a hinge shaft  130 , a door  200  and a locking mechanism. The casing  100  can define an inner space, and have the opening portion  110  formed on upper part of a front surface (e.g., a direction represented by an arrow in  FIG. 4 ) of the ATM. The media mounting portion  120  can have a ‘U’ shape cross section of transverse direction in  FIG. 5  installed in the casing  100  so as to make a bottom surface of the opening portion  110 , and the hinge shaft  130  can be installed on rear part of the casing  100 . The door  200  preferably includes a catching portion  310  formed in a curved surface  210  that is formed larger than the opening portion  110  so as to open/close the opening portion of the casing  100  and a pair of side surface portions  220 . The surface portions  220  preferably have sector shapes that are extendedly formed on both side ends of a curved surface portion  210  and respectively coupled to the hinge shaft  130 . The locking mechanism can be caught by the catching portion  310  respectively when the door  200  completely closes the opening portion  110  so as not to allow the door to open. 
   As shown in  FIG. 6 , the hinge shaft  130  of the door may be a pair fixed respectively on inner side wall of the casing  100  taking the media mounting portion  120  therebetween or fixedly installed respectively on outer side wall of the media mounting portion  120 . Further, the side surface portion  220  is formed as a sector, however, a rod rotating centered around the hinge shaft  130  may be used. 
   The catching portion  310  of the door  200  preferably maintains the locked status of the door  200  by an interaction with a catching member  320  of the locking mechanism and can be modified variously with the catching member  320 . The catching portion  310  in accordance with the preferred embodiment shown in  FIGS. 4–8  is preferably formed on inner surface of the curved surface portion  210  corresponding to the catching member  320  to be stepped in a transverse direction of  FIG. 5 . 
   A sliding surface portion  230  having certain width and length can be protrusively formed on inner lower end of one side surface portion  220  of the door  200 . In addition, a motor  400  is mounted on one inner side of the casing  100 , a rotary arm  420  is fixedly coupled to a motor shaft  410  of the motor  400 , and a roller  430  is coupled to a free end of the rotary end  420 . The roller  430  is preferably installed to be engagingly coupled or contacted to the sliding surface portion  230  of the door  200 . 
   The motor  400  and the motor shaft  410  are located on front lower part of the casing  100  preferably separated by a prescribed distance from the hinge shaft  130 , and the rotary arm  420  can be coupled vertically to the motor shaft  410 , and the roller  430  is coupled to side surface of the rotary arm  420  to be rotatable. However, the present invention is not intended to be so limited as various orientations can be implemented between the motor  400 , the roller  430  and the portion  230 . The rotary arm  420  and the roller  430  are preferably located between an outer side surface of the casing  100  and the side surface portion  220  of the door  200 . 
   The locking mechanism can include a rotary shaft  350  installed on the casing  100  in transverse direction for the media mounting portion  120  when it is assumed that the door  200  is closed in length direction, and a pair of catching members  320  coupled to the rotary shaft  350  to be rotatable. The catching members are preferably caught by the catching portion  310  when the door  200  is completely closed. A catching member driving portion  330  fixedly installed on a side portion of the media mounting portion  120  for rotating the catching members  320  in order to reciprocably release the engagement or lock of catching members  320  when the door  200  is opened. 
   The rotary shaft  350  can be installed coupled to an upper part of the media mounting portion  120 , that is, the end portion for a closing direction of the door  200  when the door  200  is closed. In addition, the catching member driving portion  330  can be installed on only one side surface of the media mounting portion  120 , and in this case, when one of the catching members  320  is rotated by the catching member driving portion  330 , the rotary shaft  350  is rotated. Accordingly, the other catching member  320  is also rotated by the rotary shaft  350 . 
   Also, the catching member driving portion  330  is preferably connectedly installed on the respective catching members  320  to synchronize movements of the catching members  320 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the catching member driving portion  330  is preferably link coupled to a position separated a certain distance apart from the rotary shaft  350 . In addition, a solenoid that can move linearly can be used as the catching member driving portion  330 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 6 , an elastic member  331  may be installed on a shaft  332  of the catching member driving portion  330  so as to support the catching members  320  elastically to go toward the locked position of the door  200 . Thus, the catching members preferably are forced or bend toward the door  200  when the catching member driving portion  330  is not considered. 
   The catching member  320  can have a protruded portion  322  that is formed to be caught by the catching portion  310  of the door  200 , and a guide recess  323  formed as a curve centering around the rotary shaft  350  can be on the protruded portion  322 . In addition, the guide recess  323  can guide the movement of the catching members  320  because a guide pin  121  fixedly installed on outer side wall of the media mounting portion  120  or on inner side wall of the casing  100  is preferably inserted therein. 
   In addition, the conveyor  500  for conveying the media stored in the media cassette and dropping the media on the media mounting portion  120  through the discharge hole  510  is located on rear upper part of the casing  100 . Sensors S for sensing whether there is the media on the media mounting portion  120  can be mounted respectively on sides of the media mounting portion  120  and of the casing  100 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 4 , a cover portion  600  having an opening  610  corresponding to the opening portion  110  can be formed on the front surface of the casing  100  so as not to expose the locking mechanism. Thus, the protruded portion  322  is inaccessible from the outside. However, the present invention is not intended to be so limited. 
   Operations of the preferred embodiment of the media dispenser module and an ATM that includes the same will now be described. Preferably, the user puts a card/bankbook and inputs required information through an input device (not shown). However, the user may input the required information through the input device without the card or the bankbook, or input the information through a portable communication device. 
   The ATM conveys the required media from the media cassette to the media dispenser module, that is, a customer dispenser module using the conveyor  500  according to the request of the user. That is, the media requested by the user can be conveyed through the discharge hole  510  of the conveyor, and dropped and piled on the media mounting portion  120 . 
   When all the media such as bills or checks requested by the user is provided on the media mounting portion  120 , the catching members  320  of the locking mechanism preferably release the locking with the catching portion  310 , and the door  200  rotates centering around the hinge shaft  130  to open the opening portion  110  by the operation of the motor  400  and the rotary arm  420 . After the user withdraws the media loaded on the media mounting portion  120  through the opening portion  110 , the door  200  can be moved to original position preferably as rotated by reverse-operation of the motor  400  and the rotary arm  420  to close the opening portion  110 . At that time, the hinge shaft  130  may be directly rotated in order to make the door  200  come back to the original position, or an additional elastic member (not shown) may be used to make the door  200  come back to the original position. 
   As shown in  FIG. 6 , locking operations and releasing operations according to preferred embodiments of the door  200  in a state that the door  200  closes the opening portion  110  of the casing  100  will now be described. As shown in  FIG. 6 , in the state that the door  200  closes the opening portion  110  of the casing  100 , the catching member driving portion  330  is preferably not operated, and the pair of catching members  320  are elastically supported by the elastic force of the elastic member  331  and the protruded portions  322  are engaged or matched with the catching portion  310  of the door  200 . Accordingly, the opening of the door  200  can be prevented. At that time, the guide pins  121  tend to be located on lower part of the guide recess  323 , respectively, as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
   When the opening portion  110  of the casing  100  is opened by rotating the door  200 , the catching member driving portion  330  is preferably operated and the shaft of the catching member driving portion  330  pulls one catching member  320 , and accordingly, the protruded portion  322  can escape or disengage from the catching portion  310  of the door  200 . The other catching member  320  can be rotated as geared with the one catching member  320  by the rotary shaft  350  coupled thereto and the protruded portion  322  of the other catching member  320  can also escape or disengage from the catching portion  310  of the door  200 . 
   Thereby, the protruded portions  322  of the catching members  320  are controllably released from the catching portion  310  of the door  200 , and the door  200  can move. At that time, the guide pins  121  tend to be located on upper part of the guide recess  323  as shown in  FIG. 8 . 
   In addition, when the door  200  closes the opening portion  110  of the casing  200  from an opened position of the opening portion  110  of the casing  100 , operations of the catching member driving portion  330  is preferably stopped. The catching members  320  are pushed by the elastic force of the elastic member  331 , and then, the protruded portions  322  are matched with the catching portion  310  of the door to prevent the door  200  from being opened. However, the present invention is not intended to be so limited as the catching members  320  can be engaged to the catching portion  310  under force provided by the catching member driving portion  300 . 
   According to preferred embodiments of the present invention, the door  200  for opening/closing the opening portion  110  of the casing  100  is locked because both sides of the door  200  are restrained by the catching members  320 . Further, the catching members  320  extend in the same direction as the door  200 . Accordingly, the locked status of the door  200  becomes firm and the door  200  can be locked in equilibrium. Also, a second catching member  320  can be moved by being geared through the rotary shaft  350  to the operation of a first catching member  320 . Further, the operational mechanism is low cost and does not require additional space. 
   As described above, in preferred embodiments of an ATM according to the present invention the locked status of the door that opens/closes the outlet through which the user withdraws the media (e.g., cash/check) is secure. The opening portion is securely engaged in the locked portion. Further, twisting of the door to one side can be reduced or prevented. Therefore, the robbery of cash by an inappropriate user through the opening portion of the casing can be reduced or prevented. Finally, reliability of the device can be increased. 
   The foregoing embodiments and advantages are merely exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention. The present teaching can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses. The description of the present invention is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims. Many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures.