Patent Publication Number: US-6981636-B2

Title: Document path selector apparatus for use in a self-service terminal

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a self-service terminal, and is particularly directed to a document path selector apparatus for use in a self-service terminal, such as a cheque cashing ATM. 
   A cheque cashing ATM allows a registered user, who typically does not have a bank account, to cash a cheque and receive money from the ATM in a public access, unattended environment. A user typically registers with an institution that owns or operates cheque cashing ATMs, and provides identification information (such as a social security number) and information about a cheque (usually a pay cheque) that he/she regularly receives. The registered user is typically provided with a card to initiate a cheque cashing transaction at a cheque cashing ATM. The cheque information typically includes details of how frequently a cheque is paid (for example, every week), who the cheque is paid by (that is, the payor of the cheque), the payor&#39;s bank details (for example, a bank code identifying the name of the bank), the typical amount that the cheque is made out for, and such like. 
   To cash a cheque, a user enters his/her card at a cheque cashing ATM, then enters a cheque to be cashed through a cheque slot in the ATM&#39;s fascia. A cheque transport mechanism receives the entered cheque and transports the cheque in a forward direction along a cheque transport path to a number of locations within the ATM to process this cheque. If the cheque is valid, and the details printed on the cheque match the cheque information provided during registration, then the ATM informs the user of a surcharge that will be applied if the user wishes to cash the cheque. If the user does not agree to the surcharge, then the cheque is returned in the reverse direction along the cheque transport path to the user via the cheque slot. If the user agrees to the surcharge, then cash is dispensed to the user and the cheque is transported to and stored in a storage bin within the ATM. Since space within the ATM is limited, it would be desirable to provide a cheque transport mechanism which is relatively compact in design, and which is capable of returning a cheque to a user when needed and transporting a cheque to the storage bin within the ATM when needed. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a self-service terminal comprises a fascia including means defining a document slot, and a document processing module including means defining a document processing zone, means defining a bi-directional document transport path which extends between the document slot and the document processing zone, and a document path selector mechanism disposed along the document transport path. The document path selector mechanism is provided for (i) enabling a document to be transported along the document transport path between the document slot and the document processing zone when parts of the document path selector mechanism are in a first position, and (ii) enabling a document to be transported along a divert path extending from the document processing zone to a location other than the document slot when parts of the document path selector mechanism are in a second position. 
   Preferably, the document path selector mechanism includes first and second movable deflector members and a movable selector member disposed between the first and second deflector members such that (i) the selector member and the first deflector member co-operate to define at least a portion of the document transport path extending between the document slot and the document processing zone when parts are in the first position, and (ii) the selector member and the second deflector member co-operate to define the divert path extending from the document processing zone to the location other than the document slot when parts are in the second position. The document path selector mechanism includes a linking member for linking the first and second deflector members such that the first and second deflector members move together as a unit when parts of the document path selector mechanism switch between the first and second positions. The first deflector member includes a stopping surface for engaging a deflector stop to limit the extent of movement of the first deflector member when parts are in the first position. The second deflector member includes a stopping surface for engaging a deflector stop to limit the extent of movement of the second deflector member when parts are in the second position. The selector member is separable apart from between the first and second deflector members to allow a document which is jammed between the selector member and one of the first and second deflector members to be removed. The document processing module may include a MICR reader disposed along the document transport path. 
   In accordance with another aspect of the invention, an automated teller machine (ATM) comprises an ATM fascia including (i) means defining a currency dispensing slot through which currency can be dispensed to an ATM customer, and (ii) means defining a cheque entrance/exit slot. The ATM also comprises a currency dispensing module for dispensing currency via the currency dispensing slot to an ATM customer. The ATM further comprises a cheque processing module for receiving a cheque from an ATM customer. The cheque processing module includes means defining a cheque processing zone, means defining a bi-directional cheque transport path which extends between the cheque entrance/exit slot and the cheque processing zone, and a cheque path selector mechanism disposed along the cheque transport path. The cheque path selector mechanism is provided for (i) enabling a cheque to be transported along the cheque transport path between the cheque entrance/exit slot and the cheque processing zone when parts of the cheque path selector mechanism are in a first position, and (ii) enabling a cheque to be transported along a divert path extending from the cheque processing zone to a location other than the cheque entrance/exit slot when parts of the cheque path selector mechanism are in a second position. The cheque path selector mechanism includes first and second movable deflector members and a movable selector member disposed between the first and second deflector members such that (i) the selector member and the first deflector member co-operate to define at least a portion of the cheque transport path extending between the cheque entrance/exit slot and the cheque processing zone when parts are in the first position, and (ii) the selector member and the second deflector member co-operate to define the divert path extending from the cheque processing zone to the location other than the cheque entrance/exit slot when parts are in the second position. 
   Preferably, the cheque path selector mechanism includes a linking member for linking the first and second deflector members such that the first and second deflector members move together as a unit when parts of the cheque path selector mechanism switch between the first and second positions. The first deflector member includes a stopping surface for engaging a deflector stop to limit the extent of movement of the first deflector member when parts are in the first position. The second deflector member includes a stopping surface for engaging a deflector stop to limit the extent of movement of the second deflector member when parts are in the second position. The selector member is separable apart from between the first and second deflector members to allow a cheque which is jammed between the selector member and one of the first and second deflector members to be removed. The cheque processing module may include a MICR reader disposed along the cheque transport path. 
   In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, a document path selector apparatus is provided for use in a self-service terminal. The apparatus comprises first and second movable deflector members. The apparatus further comprises a movable selector member disposed between the first and second deflector members and movable between the first and second deflector members such that the selector member and the first deflector member co-operate to define at least a portion of a first document transport path of the self-service terminal when the selector member and the first deflector member are moved to a first position and the selector member and the second deflector member co-operate to define at least a portion of a second document transport path of the self-service terminal when the selector member and the second deflector member are in a second position which is different from the first position. 
   Preferably, a linking member links the first and second deflector members such that the first and second deflector members move together as a unit when the selector member switches between the first and second positions. The first deflector member includes a stopping surface for engaging a deflector stop to limit the extent of movement of the first deflector member when the selector member and the first deflector member are in the first position. The second deflector member includes a stopping surface for engaging a deflector stop to limit the extent of movement of the second deflector member when the selector member and the second deflector member are in the second position. The selector member is separable apart from between the first and second deflector members to allow a document which is jammed between the selector member and one of the first and second deflector members to be removed. 

   
     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 cheque cashing ATM embodying the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a simplified schematic sectional diagram, taken approximately along line  2 — 2  in  FIG. 1 , and showing a part (the cheque processing module) of the ATM of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram of the cheque processing module of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 4  is an exploded pictorial view of a part (the document path selector) of the ATM of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 5  is an end view of the document path selector of  FIG. 4 , looking in the direction of arrow X of  FIG. 4 , and showing parts in a first position; 
       FIG. 6  is a view similar to FIG.  5  and showing parts in a second position; and 
       FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating the steps involved in a cheque cashing operation. 
   

   DETAILS OF THE INVENTION 
   Reference is first made to  FIG. 1 , which illustrates a self-service terminal  10  in the form of a cheque cashing 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 centre (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 cheque 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 (trade mark) 5878 financial services centre ATM, available from NCR Financial Solutions Group Limited, Discovery Centre, 3 Fulton Road, Dundee, DD2 4SW, Scotland. 
   A cheque processing module (CPM)  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 CPM  60 .  FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating the main elements in the CPM  60 . The CPM  60  is a modified version of a conventional cheque processing module, such as the cheque processing module provided with the PERSONAS (trade mark) 5878 NCR ATM. 
   The CPM  60  comprises the following elements: a cheque input/output transport mechanism  70  including an alignment mechanism for aligning a cheque; a MICR head  72  for reading magnetic details on a code line of a cheque; an imager  74  including an upper  74   a  and lower  74   b  CCD camera for capturing an image of each side of a cheque (front and rear); a printer  76  for endorsing a cheque; and a storage bin  78  for storing processed cheques. The elements are conventional and will not be described in detail herein. The CPM  60  also includes a controller  86  for controlling the operation of the elements within the CPM  60 . The CPM  60  also includes an entrance shutter  88  for opening and closing the cheque input/output slot  56 . 
   The CPM  60  further includes a divert gate  80  is in the form of a document path selector mechanism. Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the selector mechanism  80  includes a first deflector member  110  having a central portion  111  which is pivotable about a first pivot shaft  91 . The first pivot shaft  91  is connected to a frame part (not shown) of the CPM  60 . The first deflector  110  includes an end portion having a stopping surface  113  engageable with a first deflector stop  118  to limit extent of movement of the first deflector  110 , and an opposite end portion having a tapered surface  116 . The first deflector  110  also includes a curved major surface  114  and a tapered surface  115  which interconnects the stopping surface  113  and the curved major surface  114 . The curved major surface  114  interconnects the tapered surface  115  and the tapered surface  116 . 
   Similarly, the selector mechanism  80  includes a second deflector member  120  having a central portion  121  which is pivotable about a second pivot shaft  92 . The second pivot shaft  92  is connected to the same frame part (not shown) to which the first pivot shaft  91  is connected. The second deflector  120  includes an end portion having a stopping surface  123  engageable with a second deflector stop  119  to limit extent of movement of the second deflector  120 , and an opposite end portion having a tapered surface  126 . The second deflector  120  also includes a curved major surface  124  and a tapered surface  125  which interconnects the stopping surface  123  and the curved major surface  124 . The curved major surface  124  interconnects the tapered surface  125  and the tapered surface  126 . A linking member  134  interconnects the first and second deflectors  110 ,  120 . 
   The selector mechanism  80  further includes a selector member  140  having a central portion  141  which is pivotable about a selector shaft  136 . The selector shaft  136  is connected to another frame part (also not shown) of the CPM  60 . The frame part to which the selector shaft  136  is connected is different from and separable away from the frame part to which the first and second pivot shafts  91 ,  92  of the first and second deflectors  110 ,  120  are connected. Thus, the selector  140  is movable away from the first and second deflectors  110 ,  120 , as shown in FIG.  4 . This allows a cheque that is jammed between the selector  140  and at least one of the first and second deflectors to be easily removed to clear the jam condition. 
   The selector  140  includes first and second end portions  142 ,  144  and end portion  150  which lies opposite the first and second end portions  142 ,  144 . The end portion  150  has a tapered surface  152  which faces the tapered surface  115  of the first deflector  110  and a tapered surface  154  which faces the tapered surface  125  of the second deflector  120 . The first end portion  142  has a tapered surface  146  which faces the tapered surface  116  of the first deflector  110 , and the second end portion  144  has a tapered surface  148  which faces the tapered surface  126  of the second deflector  120 . A first curved major surface  156  interconnects the tapered surface  146  and the tapered surface  152 . Similarly, a second curved major surface  158  interconnects the tapered surface  148  and the tapered surface  154 . 
   The parts of the document path selector mechanism  80  are shown in  FIG. 5  in a first position. When parts are in the first position shown in  FIG. 5 , a continuous document transport path  160  is formed between the major surface  114  of the first deflector  110  and the major surface  156  of the selector  140 . The continuous path  160  forms a portion of the document transport path which extends between the cheque entrance/exit slot  56  and the zone in the vicinity of the endorser printer  76  (FIG.  1 ). 
   When a cheque is transported from the slot  56  to the printer  76 , the cheque moves along the document transport path including the path  160  in the direction of arrow A as shown in FIG.  5 . The tapered surface  116  and the tapered surface  146  co-operate to minimize the chance of the cheque becoming jammed as the cheque initially enters into the path  160  in the direction of arrow A. Similarly, when a cheque is transported from the printer  76  to the slot  56 , the cheque moves along the document transport path including the path  160  in the direction of arrow B as shown in FIG.  5 . The tapered surface  115  of the first deflector  110  and the tapered surface  152  of the selector  140  co-operate to minimize the chance of the cheque becoming jammed as the cheque initially enters into the path  160  in the direction of arrow B. 
   When a cheque in the zone of the printer  76  and the controller  86  ( FIG. 1 ) makes a determination that the cheque is to be transported into the storage bin  78 , the controller  86  commands an actuator (not shown) which pivots the selector  140  about the selector shaft  136  in a clockwise direction (as viewed looking at  FIG. 5 ) to move the parts from the first position shown in  FIG. 5  to the second position shown in FIG.  6 . When the selector  140  pivots clockwise about the selector shaft  136 , the end portion of the curved major surface  156  in the vicinity of the tapered surface  152  moves against an end portion of the curved major surface  114  in the vicinity of the tapered surface  115  of the first deflector  110 . 
   As the selector  140  continues to rotate clockwise about the selector shaft  136  from the position shown in  FIG. 5  to the position shown in  FIG. 6 , the first deflector  110  pivots clockwise about the first deflector shaft  91 . Since the first and second deflectors  110 ,  120  are interconnected by the linkage  134 , the second deflector  120  rotates clockwise about the second deflector shaft  92  when the first deflector  110  rotates about the first shaft  91 . When parts of the selector mechanism  80  are in the position as shown in  FIG. 6 , a continuous divert path  162  is formed between the major surface  124  of the second deflector  120  and the major surface  158  of the selector  140 . The divert path  162  extends from a portion the document transport path which extends from the zone in the vicinity of the endorser printer  76 . When a cheque is transported from the zone in the vicinity of the printer  76 , the cheque enters the divert path  162  in the direction of arrow B as shown in FIG.  6 . The tapered surface  125  of the second deflector  120  and the tapered surface  154  of the selector  140  co-operate to minimize the chance of the cheque becoming jammed as the cheque initially enters into divert path  162 . As the cheque is transported along the divert path  162  in the direction of arrow B in  FIG. 6 , the cheque eventually leaves the end of the divert path  162  (shown as arrow C in  FIG. 6 ) where the tapered surface  126  of the second deflector  120  faces the tapered surface  148  of the selector  140  and goes into the storage bin  78 . Although the storage bin  78  is shown located outside of the CPM  60 , it is contemplated that the storage bin may be located inside the CPM. 
   After the cheque has been diverted into the storage bin  78 , the controller  86  commands the actuator to rotate the selector  140  about the selector shaft  136  in a counter-clockwise direction (as viewed looking at  FIG. 6 ) to move the parts from the position shown in  FIG. 6  back to the position shown in FIG.  5 . When the selector  140  pivots counter-clockwise about the selector shaft  136 , the end portion of the curved major surface  158  in the vicinity of the tapered surface  154  moves against an end portion of the curved major surface  124  in the vicinity of the tapered surface  125  of the second deflector  120 . 
   As the selector  140  continues to rotate counter-clockwise about the selector shaft  136 , the second deflector  120  pivots counter-clockwise about the second deflector shaft  92 . Since the first and second deflectors  110 ,  120  are interconnected by the linkage  134 , the first deflector  110  rotates counter-clockwise about the first deflector shaft  91  when the second deflector  110  rotates about the second shaft  92 . When parts of the selector mechanism  80  are returned back to the position as shown in  FIG. 5 , the continuous path  160  is again formed between the curved major surface  114  of the first deflector  110  and the curved major surface  156  of the selector  140 . 
   A typical transaction will now be described with reference to  FIG. 7  which is a flowchart  200  illustrating the steps involved in a cheque cashing transaction, and also with reference to  FIGS. 1  to  3 . In this transaction, a user has registered with an institution owning and operating the ATM  10 , and the user has informed the institution that he receives a weekly pay cheque for two hundred dollars, and has received a registration card for accessing cheque cashing functions at the ATM  10 . Initially, the user enters the registration card into the card reader slot  52 , selects “cheque cashing” from a list of transaction options presented on the display  36 , and inserts the cheque to be cashed through the cheque input/output slot  56 . The controller  86  opens the slot shutter  88  to receive the cheque, and the transport mechanism  70  transports the received cheque (step  210 ) to the MICR head  72  where a code line on the cheque is read (step  212 ). The transport mechanism  70  then transports the cheque to the imager  74 , where both sides of the cheque are imaged (step  214 ). 
   The controller  86  then verifies that the cheque has been completed correctly (step  216 ). If the cheque is incomplete, then the controller  86  initiates a cheque return operation, described below. If the cheque is complete, then the controller  86  verifies that the amount printed in a courtesy amount field on the cheque matches details provided by the user when the user registered with the institution operating the cheque cashing ATM  10  (step  218 ). In this example, the user registered a two hundred dollars cheque that was received weekly, and the cheque being presented is made out for two hundred dollars. If the amounts do not match, then the controller  86  initiates a cheque return operation, described hereinbelow. If the amounts do match, as in this example, then the display  36  displays the charge that will be deducted for cashing the cheque (step  220 ), in this example five dollars, and requests the user to confirm that he is willing to pay this charge to cash the cheque (step  222 ). 
   If the user accepts the charge, then the printer  76  prints endorsement data onto the cheque (step  224 ), and cash is dispensed through the cash dispense slot  50  to the user (step  226 ). The cash is to the value of the courtesy amount of the cheque minus the charge levied for cashing the cheque, in this example, one hundred and ninety five dollars. The cheque is then transported to the imager  74  to image the endorsed cheque (step  227 ) before it is transported to the storage bin  78  (step  228 ) for subsequent collection and further processing. If the user does not wish to pay the charge, then the controller  86  initiates a cheque return operation. 
   When a cheque return operation is initiated, the transport mechanism  70  reverses the direction of transport (step  240 ) to convey the cheque to the cheque input/output slot  56  to return the cheque to the user via the cheque input/output slot. The controller  86  may monitor the slot  56  to ensure that the cheque has been removed by the user (step  242 ). If the user has not removed the cheque within a predetermined time period, the cheque is retracted and conveyed to a reject bin (not shown) (step  244 ). 
   Although the above-description describes a cheque being cashed in its entire amount by an ATM customer, it is contemplated that the cheque may be cashed only in partial amount of the entire amount of the cheque at the ATM  10 , with the remaining amount of the cheque being deposited to a banking account. It is also conceivable that the entire amount of the cheque be deposited by an ATM customer into a banking account. 
   A number of advantages result by providing the document path selector mechanism  80  in accordance with the present invention. One advantage is that the construction of the selector mechanism  80  is relatively compact and, therefore occupies relatively less space within the ATM. Another advantage is that the selector mechanism  80  is operable requiring minimal movement of its parts. This provides additional compactness. Still another advantage is that the selector  140  can be easily separated apart from the first and second deflectors  110 ,  120  to allow a jammed cheque to be quickly and easily removed when a jam condition occurs. 
   From the above description of the invention, those skilled in the art to which the present invention relates will perceive improvements, changes and modifications. Numerous substitutions and modifications can be undertaken without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. Such improvements, changes and modifications within the skill of the art to which the present invention relates are intended to be covered by the appended claims.