Patent Publication Number: US-2003236746-A1

Title: Check and cash dispensing machine and method

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0001] The invention relates to check and cash dispensing machines, a system for automated check printing and cash dispensing and a method thereof  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] Debit card and automated teller machine (ATM) systems are well known and widely used in the banking and financial industry. Likewise, direct deposit systems are well known and widely used for electronic funds payroll transfers from, for example, an employer to an employee&#39;s bank account. A direct deposit system used in conjunction with an ATM/debit card enables a customer to receive funds via electronic transfer to his/her account, withdraw funds in the form of cash from an ATM and/or use the card to purchase goods from vendors that accept the card.  
       [0003] This system is, however, not without drawbacks. The customer is required to maintain an account with a financial institution that accepts direct deposits and provides ATM services. The customer is also required to obtain and carry a card with his/her account information magnetically encoded on the card in order to utilize the ATM system. Withdrawals from an ATM machine are typically limited to fixed amount per day, typically no more than several hundred dollars. Cash withdrawals from ATM machines are also normally limited to multiples often or twenty dollars insofar as such machines are not equipped to dispense one or five dollar bills. ATM machines are also not equipped to print checks, a form of funds transfer that many customers may believe to be safer and more convenient than receiving cash.  
       [0004] The apparatus, system and method described herein overcomes these shortcomings by providing the customer the option of receiving funds in the form of either checks or cash. The system and method of the invention also allows a customer to access the full amount of funds available at the time and enables the customer to receive a cash disbursement in an amount other than a multiple of five, ten or twenty dollars.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005] A method for making a payment according to the invention includes the steps of determining a payment amount due from a payor to a payee, identifying the payee when the payee enters identifying information at an automated payment station, verifying an amount of a payment due to the payee, and receiving at the payment station an election by the payee to receive a check or cash as the payment. If the payee selects a check, a check is printed for the payee at the payment station, whereas if the payee selects cash, cash is dispensed to the payee at the payment station. The payment station according to the invention may be a kiosk similar in appearance to an ATM machine, but with the capability to both print checks and dispense cash in response to a user election.  
       [0006] In one common use of the method of the invention, the payor is an employer and the payee is an employee of the payor due to receive wages. According to a preferred form of the invention, a payee is first enrolled to receive payment and receives identifying information such as a PIN number, or is instructed by the payor to use his or her social security or other existing number as identification for purposes of receiving payment. A payment processing center receives an electronic pay file from the payor at a payment processing center remote from the payment station, including information identifying the payee and an amount due to be paid to the payee. At the time the payee appears at the payment station to collect payment, the station transmits information concerning the payee to the processing center and receives back a verification of an amount due the payee from the processing center. The processing center may charge a fee if the payee elects to receive cash. Such fee preferably is calculated to include any amount less then smallest unit of currency the payment station is able to dispense, such as one dollar.  
       [0007] The invention further provides an automated payment station suitable for use in the foregoing method. Such a station includes a computer programmed to dispense cash and print checks according to program logic, a check printer which prints checks in response to signals from the computer, a cash dispenser which dispenses cash in response to signals from the computer, a display device connected to the computer and positioned to display messages to a user, a data entry device which permits entry of data and selection of options by the user, and a cabinet enclosing the computer, check printer, cash dispenser, display device and data entry device, which cabinet has suitable access openings therein to permit the machine to dispense cash and checks from the cash dispenser and check printer, respectively. A signature capture pad may be mounted on the outside of the cabinet and connected to transmit an image of a signature to the computer for verification purposes. A magnetic card reader may be provided that is accessible through a slot in the cabinet and connected to the computer as another way to verify the identity of the cardholder-payee.  
       [0008] In a preferred form of the invention, the program logic used by the computer offers a user a choice of receiving a check or cash, and actuates the check printer or cash dispenser in response to an election made by the user with the data entry device. A touch screen conveniently acts as both the display device and data entry device. A communications link and suitable software may be provided for connecting the computer for electronic communication with a remote processing center that verifies the user&#39;s identity in response to queries send by the computer and transmits to the computer a payment amount due to the user. The cash dispenser preferably includes at least three cassettes containing currency in different denominations, with at least one cassette containing a lowest common denominator currency, such as one dollar bills.  
       [0009] The invention further provides a system for making payments at a number of locations, which system includes a number of automated payment stations as described above which communicate with a common processing center. These and other aspects of the invention are discussed in the detailed description that follows. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0010] For a more complete understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention, reference is now made to the detailed description of the invention along with the accompanying figures in which corresponding numerals in the different figures refer to corresponding parts and in which:  
     [0011]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a kiosk or cash and check dispensing machine according to the invention;  
     [0012]FIG. 2 is a block diagram further illustrating components of the kiosk of FIG. 1;  
     [0013]FIG. 3 is a front view of an alternative kiosk or cash and check dispensing machine according to the invention, in a closed condition;  
     [0014]FIG. 4 is a front view of the kiosk of FIG. 3 in an open condition;  
     [0015]FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the use of a system and method according to the invention; and  
     [0016]FIG. 6 is a flow chart of a transaction using the apparatus, system and method of the invention.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
     [0017] While the making and using of various embodiments of the present invention are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated that the present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts which can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the invention and do not delimit the scope of the invention.  
     [0018] Referring to FIGS.  1 - 2 , a cash and check dispensing station or kiosk  12  according to the invention includes a plastic cabinet  13  that holds a computer  14  and various computer-controlled input and output devices. Cabinet  14  is made of roto-molded polyethylene plastic for durability and vandal resistance. An upper section  15  of cabinet  14  houses three thermal printers ( 24 A,  24 B,  30 ), the control unit (PC  14 ), a card reader  16 , a video camera  22  for recording an image of consumers using kiosk  12 , and a touch screen  26  to allow customers to enter relevant information and instructions as described in detail below. A signature capture pad  18  is attached to the outside of the upper section. A lower section  17  of cabinet  14  acts as the base for the upper unit and encloses a cash dispenser/vault mechanism  19 .  
     [0019] Kiosk  12  contains two Source Technologies MT-2K Thermal Transfer MICR check printers  24 A,  24 B. Each printer is configured to print 400 8.5″ long documents per thermal transfer ribbon and package of check stock. Printers  24 A,  24 B have an integrated cutter that will cut all but a small portion of the document, facilitating easy presentation and tear-off as checks are printed and ejected through respective slots  34 . Each printer  24 A,  24 B is connected to the PC  14  via an RS232 serial port and prints checks in response to information received from the employer and based on the preference of the customer, as described hereafter. A pair of duplicate check printers are provided to double the total number of checks that can be printed and permit one printer to malfunction without completing disabling the system. Kiosk  12  further includes one 3-4″ wide direct thermal printer  30  for receipt printing. Receipt printer  30  is to the PC  14  via the USB or parallel printer port.  
     [0020] Computer  14  may be, for example, a Windows-compatible PC with the equivalent performance of a 500 MHz Celeron processor with 128 MB of RAM. Computer  14  supports at least two USB ports, 4 RS232 serial ports, one 56K modem, one parallel printer port and one 10/100 Ethernet port. Kiosk  12  may also include a UIC model MSR140 3 Track magnetic stripe card reader  16 , or its equivalent. This device will be connected via RS232 serial port.  
     [0021] Capture pad  18  may be a Topaz Systems Signature Gem model T-S261-K signature capture pad. This device will be mounted at a convenient angle and height above the floor for use by a typical customer. The pad  18  is connected to the PC via the RS232 serial port. The LCD touch screen  26  is preferably a 15.1″ diagonal LCD panel with integrated capacitive or SAW technology. Touch screen  26  will connect to the PC  14  via a VGA connector for the video and USB port for the touch screen input. In the alternative, a separate display screen and keypad for entry of information can be provided as currently done on ATM machines.  
     [0022] The cash dispensers  28 A,  28 B, preferably Fujitsu F400&#39;s, will connect to the PC via two RS232 serial ports. The video camera  22  is preferably one that supports 16.7 million colors at 640×480 pixel resolution, has at least 1.3 million pixel resolution, and can capture 30 fps video at 352×288 pixel resolution. It connects to the PC  14  via a USB port. 12 MM mild steel is used to construct the cash dispenser vault in the lower section; sheet metal and plastic are used to fabricate the remainder of cabinet  12 .  
     [0023] Cash dispensing mechanism  19  is provided with several cash cassettes (not shown) for dispensing funds in the form of currency into external slots  28  opening on the front face of cabinet  13 . In a preferred embodiment, sufficient cassettes are provided to enable kiosk  12  to dispense currency in at least three, preferably four, denominations, for example one, five, ten and twenty dollar bills, or one, five, twenty and either fifty or one hundred dollar bills, the latter to enable the machine to dispense substantially larger amounts of money than an ATM can before requiring replenishment of currency. Kiosk  12  is also provided with a communications link  32  enabling computer  14  to communicate electronically over a network such as the Internet via SSL or over a private network such as a wide area network (WAN).  
     [0024]FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate an alternative embodiment of a kiosk  12 ′ of the invention which can also be used as an ATM machine, which has the same components as kiosk  12  except as described otherwise. A numeric keypad  21  is present next to the capture pad  18  so that the machine can also be used as a conventional ATM. Kiosk  12 ′ has a lower door  27  and an upwardly opening hinged hatch  29  to aid in accessing the interior components of the machine. Camera  22 , touch screen monitor  26  and card reader  16  are conveniently mounted on the underside of hatch  29  as shown.  
     [0025] Turning to FIG. 5, a method of the invention is illustrated as a series of transactions beginning when an employer hires a new employee (step  34 ). The new employee is enrolled in a payroll system according to the invention, and an image of his or her signature is acquired, linked to the employee&#39;s social security number or other employee identification code (step  36 ) and transmitted to a central processing center through a secure communications link (step  40 ). If magnetic identification cards are to be used, the employee is issued such a card. The payroll processing center may be owned and operated by an entity separate from the employer.  
     [0026] When the employee is paid, the employer&#39;s payroll or accounting department generates or updates a pay file (step  42 ) including the unique employee identification number such as the employee&#39;s social security number and the amount of funds due the employee. The pay file or record is electronically transmitted (step  44 ) via a secure communications link to the processing center  48 . In conjunction with the transfer of the pay file or files, the employer deposits funds in an account maintained by the service provider corresponding to the funds identified in the pay file. The service provider preferably performs the same functions as current commercial payroll services, namely calculation and withholding of taxes, retirement plan contributions, insurance premiums and other typical payroll deductions.  
     [0027] As best illustrated in FIG. 6, the employee utilizes kiosk  12  to access and receive the funds by pressing touch screen  26  to begin the process (step  58 ). Computer  14  then prompts the user to enter his or her employee identification number using touch screen  26  and signing on signature capture pad  18  (steps  62 ,  64 ). The employee may also be asked one or more multiple choice challenge response question as further confirmation, or in place of the signature capture process. For example, the employee maybe asked to select his or her mother&#39;s maiden name from a menu of choices, one of which is the correct name based on information the employee provided at the time of enrollment. Video camera  22  is activated (step  60 ) to create a still or motion video image of the employee. Optionally, computer  14  may be programmed not to dispense cash or print a check if video camera  22  is non-functional or blocked (returning a blank image).  
     [0028] Computer  14  then transmits the employee&#39;s identification number and the captured image of the employee&#39;s signature through the network to processing center, where the employee&#39; identification number is used to access the record copy of the employee&#39;s signature (step  65 ). The captured image of the employee&#39;s signature appears on the touch screen and is compared to the record image maintained by a processing center using known image processing technology and software. If the processing center is unable to verily that the captured image is the employee&#39;s signature, it transmits a signal to kiosk  12  denying or refusing the transaction, and kiosk  12  is reinitialized (step  66 ). Successful reading of a magnetically encoded ID card using card reader  16  may also be required, in addition to or in place of signature verification. The card reader could also be used to read ATM or debit cards to permit other types of transactions to be carried out at kiosk  12 , for example, cash withdrawals from bank accounts.  
     [0029] If the employee&#39;s signature and/or answer to the challenge response question(s) is verified, the central processing center transmits a signal to kiosk  12  approving the transaction and indicating the funds due to the employee according to the pay file stored at the processing center. Computer  14  then signals touch screen  26  to display a message prompting the customer to indicate whether cash or a check is desired (step  68 ). The employee then selects a cash disbursement or a check. If a cash disbursement is selected, the touch screen displays a message informing the employee that there will be a fee associated with the transaction, and querying whether the employee agrees to the fee (step  70 ). If the employee indicates agreement to the fee by pressing the indicated location on touch screen  26 , computer  14  signals cash dispenser  28  to dispense cash to the employee (step  74 ). Alternatively, if the employee elects to receive funds in the form of a check, computer  14 , utilizing the information in the pay file, signals check printer  26  to print a check payable to the employee (step  72 ).  
     [0030] Of course, payroll amounts will generally be expressed in dollars and cents, and kiosk  12  may lack the capability to generate cash in the exact amount due. The fee for selecting cash therefore conveniently includes any leftover amount of less than one dollar (or other currency). For example, a payment in the amount of $506.25 if cash were selected would have a 3% cash fee of $15.19 associated with it. The difference is $491.06. The fee is then increased slightly (by the amount of change due, from 1 to 99 cents) to $15.25 so that the amount of cash dispensed is $491.  
     [0031] Computer  12  can also be programmed to allow the consumer to enter a cash amount that is less than the total payroll payment due. Kiosk  12  then dispenses cash in the amount the employee has selected, together with a check for the difference between the total and the cash dispensed. In such a case, the fee for selecting cash does not include the additional amount less than one dollar or other currency unit.  
     [0032] Kiosk  12  can also be equipped with an optional cash card dispenser, in addition to or in place of the check printer. Cash cards are currently used as a form of temporary debit card with a limited value that can be discarded once used up. According to this aspect of the invention, if the user selects cash card, then a card is encoded and issued which can be used up to the amount of the payment due the user. A stored value card could be issued in a similar manner.  
     [0033] After the employee receives either cash or a check, kiosk  12  using the information in the pay file prints a non-negotiable payroll voucher (check stub) with a summary of the employee&#39;s payroll information including items such as gross pay, federal and state income taxes withheld, other deduction, fees assessed and similar items (step  76 ). After the employee has received the voucher, kiosk  12  prints a receipt (step  78 ) indicating the amount of funds disbursed and the form of the disbursement, i.e., cash, check or both. The employee is prompted to take the receipt (step  80 ) and the transaction is concluded (step  82 ). A record of the transaction is transmitted to processing center  48  (FIG. 5) which updates the employee&#39;s pay file  42  accordingly and may optionally transmit a report back to the employer-payor of payments made.  
     [0034] A kiosk  12  of the invention may conveniently be located on the premises of a large company with many employees and might not, in some cases, be located in an area open to the general public. Other services that make payments to customers can also use the method and machine of the invention, such as tax preparation services that generate advance refund checks to their customers, or even government agencies such as the IRS, SSA or welfare agencies that make recurring payments to citizens.  
     [0035] The method and system of the invention provide a convenient way to make recurring payments to employees or the like without forcing them to go to a bank or other outlet in order to cash a check or get cash from a debit card. Debit cards can be used at ATM&#39;s, but the amount of cash available will be subject to the ATM&#39;s transaction limit. The system of the invention may be programmed with an upper limit on the amount of cash that can be dispensed in a single transaction, but the limit will be higher than the typical ATM limit of $400 per account per day, and the kiosk will preferably hold sufficient cash to meet typical demand at the location the kiosk is deployed. In the alternative, if the amount to be paid is above the machines cash per transaction limit, the user is so advised in a message on the screen, and advised either that a check must be generated, or that the user can receive up to the limit in cash and the balance as a check. Insofar as the system of the invention is intended for making payments and does not maintain ongoing accounts for depositors in the manner of a bank or credit union, the user/payee is not normally allowed the option of taking less than all of the amount to be paid.  
     [0036] Although one or more embodiments of the invention have been described in the foregoing detailed description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed but is capable of numerous rearrangements, substitutions and modifications without departing from the spirit of the invention.