Patent Abstract:
A method and apparatus are provided for conducting transactions through a financial network using a document such as a check or money order at an unattended automated machine. For security purposes a signature detector detects the signature and the user uses a card to operate the machine. A reader reads the amount on the document; and, for a check, the LAR and CAR amounts are compared. If the document is a money order, the user may be prompted to endorse the money order if the signature detector fails to detect a signature. A card writer writes an amount on the card related to the amount of the transaction being done and a calculator calculates the amount to be written on the card and subtracts a user&#39;s service charge. A bill may be paid and a receipt generator will provide a receipt preferably showing payment of the bill and the service charge. If the check or money order is for an amount greater than the bill and service charge amounts, the card writer may write the difference on the card. A portion of the check or money order may also be deposited in the user&#39;s account. A cash acceptor in the machine accepts cash and a cash dispenser may dispense cash.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates to automated banking systems and machines including those which employ or are an improvement over automatic teller machines (ATMS). ATMs are widely available and receive a considerable amount of usage, particularly on weekends, for dispensing cash. For instance, it is not unusual for an ATM to dispense $250,000 worth of cash in the course of a single weekend. The ATM user is provided with an ATM card as well as a personal identification number (PIN) or password, so that if the card is stolen or lost, the finder of the card will not be able to use it to withdraw funds using the ATM card because of the lack of the PIN number. Typically, the ATM user will use the card and PIN number at an ATM to withdraw cash from the user&#39;s checking account, savings account or as an advance from a credit card, or transferring money from a savings account to his checking account. In other instances, the ATM user will use the card and PIN number to access the ATM in order to ascertain the user&#39;s account balances. In a few instances, some ATMs have an incremental revenue opportunity from the capacity to dispense stamps as an alternative to cash for the user.  
         [0002]     Owners of ATMs have found them to be relatively profitable. However, there is a need for increasing the profitability of the ATMs which are principally now used as cash withdrawal machines. Competing with the banks and with ATM machines are local currency exchanges which perform a number of banking type services for their “profiled customers.” Profiled customers are those customers who have signed a signature card or who otherwise have identity confirmation information entered into a network of a local currency exchange. These profiled customers are local to the area and are not part of a large area or nationwide network. Often, the currency exchange not only has the profiled customer&#39;s signature, but the currency exchange agent often recognizes the customer. Currency exchanges commonly cash a large volume of payroll checks for their customers. The average fee for such a transaction is 1.6% of the amount of the payroll check. This can yield quite substantial revenue when a high volume of payroll checks is being cashed. Currency exchanges compete with the ATM machines by cashing personal checks for their profiled customers. Most often, a currency exchange will not cash a personal check for a non-profiled customer of the exchanges. If the currency exchange assumes the risk and cashes such a check, however, the customer transaction charges are extremely high, e.g., $20.00 or 20% of the value of the check being cashed.  
         [0003]     Another large volume transaction-type having the potential for large volume for a currency exchange is the issuance of money orders and cashing of money orders. On average, the customer charge for such transactions is about 1.85% of the value of the money order.  
         [0004]     Other large revenue generators for currency exchanges are fees collected when customers pay bills for utilities, such as telephone! electric, gas, and water, as well as other bills, such as cable, television or credit card bills. Typically, there is a $0.60 per bill service charge to accept payment of a utility bill or credit card bill or the like in a currency exchange. The currency exchanges operate under contract with the local utilities and/or credit card companies to provide such a service.  
         [0005]     While currency exchanges are relatively profitable, one significant expense cost of operation is due to employee theft of currency. Also, from time to time, employees make mistakes when cashing checks or money orders, or when issuing money orders. Another shortcoming of currency exchanges as opposed to ATM machines is that the exchanges are open only for limited hours, while the ATM machines are generally available for transaction processing  24  hours each day. In many instances, people prefer not to let others at a currency exchange or bank have any knowledge of their personal financial affairs and would prefer to use the ATM machines, rather than currency exchanges if the ATM machines provided some or all of the banking type services now provided by the currency exchanges.  
         [0006]     Often currency exchanges are used by local residents who do not have a checking or savings account with a local bank, and who do not use the ATM machines or have an ATM card. Thus, there is an opportunity to acquire new customers for automatic banking machines if the machines will have many of the functions performed by a currency exchange or of a full service bank, such as cashing checks or money orders.  
         [0007]     Wire transfer of funds is another banking function which is not generally available to the general public. Usually bank wire transfers are for very large amounts of money. Rather than going to a bank to wire transfer money, most individuals, as opposed to businesses, commonly wire money through other companies such as Western Union or through the American Express Company. Wire transfer costs for consumer-related transactions are relatively high. There is an average cost of between $13.00 to send a minimum of $200.00 by wire and about $200.00 to send $5,000.00 by wire. There are many times when people are traveling or when they have a child at college when it would be desirable to be able to transfer money by wire to their child&#39;s account so that the child has immediate access to the money. If such a wire transfer service were available for use in an automated banking machine, it would provide a relatively inexpensive method of wire transfer for individuals.  
         [0008]     A new opportunity available to full service banks and to currency exchanges is participation in the United States Federal Government&#39;s Electronic Benefit Transfer Program (EBTP). The program will distribute smart cards for use by recipients of Social Security, Veteran&#39;s or welfare benefits. Payments for such benefits may total as much as one-half trillion dollars per year. Clients who have EBTP cards are already in the government&#39;s network. These smart cards are intended to replace the food stamps, among other things, whose use may lead to the clients being embarrassed. The currency exchanges and the full service banks will be receiving a transactional charge when writing an increase in balance onto the smart card. Also, the service provider will be charging the smart card user a fee for each transaction, for instance, when the smart card&#39;s balance is decreased as it is being used to pay for food, a utility bill, etc. This represents a large volume usage that could be available to appropriate electronic automated banking machines if they offered bill paying services and sale of items such as telephone cards, lottery tickets, and the like.  
         [0009]     Owners of ATMs are beginning to take advantage of such incremental revenue opportunities, e.g., by selling stamps via the ATM machine. This allows the owner of the ATM to gain more revenue from it. For example, end user items such as theater tickets, lottery tickets or stamps can be sold from dispensers in an ATM machine. Because the purchase of end-user items is less susceptible to fraud, they do not require the additional security for transactions as cashing checks or money orders.  
         [0010]     A number of security problems arise with the addition to ATMs of functions performed by full service banks and currency exchanges, such as cashing checks and money orders. The foremost problem is integrity of the document being exchanged for cash, in particular, verification of signatures on checks or money orders being cashed. Also, the ability to read various types of documents and to provide the user with a large number of payment methods requires a relatively sophisticated machine beyond that of current ATMs on the market and in widespread use by the general public. The problem with checks is not only the signature verification of hard-to-read handwriting, but also reading the amount, usually written in cursive, on a legal line of the check. In addition, the check has a second line which is the courtesy amount recognition line (“CAR”) which is written in numerals representing the value of the check. Most checks also identify the bank and the maker&#39;s account in magnetic ink.  
         [0011]     Another consideration for transactions such as cashing checks, paying bills, or other like things from a remote banking machine is the need to record the transactions and to leave an audit trail for later manual review, if required, of the transactions.  
         [0012]     A semi-automated system has been proposed to aid in the cashing of checks and which reduces the access of the teller to the money. This proposed system would require the user to operate the machine and negotiate the check while in the electronic presence of a teller, who being satisfied that the check should be cashed, then verifies the cashing opportunity and operates the machine to dispense automatically the funds to the machine user. Of course, such a machine requires the attendance and the presence of the teller, and therefore, is still not a fully automated system for cashing checks.  
         [0013]     Among some of the mechanical problems that have been experienced with the remote ATM-type machines is that of providing change in coins. Already, over a single weekend, ATMs are being severely taxed often completely emptied of their contents, and they do not have changemakers. The addition of a coin changemaker adds considerable expense and maintenance problems to the machine to provide the exact coin change to the user who is cashing a check or performing some other function.  
         [0014]     Another problem with providing a commercially practical automated banking machine is that of the time needed for the transactions. Preferably, the transactions should be relatively brief and simple so that a minimal number of operator actions, such as touch screen pushes or keystrokes, are required for each transaction. If a particular transaction takes more than a minute or two, the system would probably be too slow to adequately service a line of people waiting to use the machine at a busy time on a weekend. Also, if the machine offers a large number of transactions like those of a full service bank or a currency exchange, the machine should provide a wide range of funds delivery or payment options to the user so that the payment can be made by cash, credit card, smart card, or withdrawal from a checking or savings account.  
         [0015]     There is a need for an automatic banking machine which includes an ATM-like machine that performs and allows a number of service options, such as for example the withdrawing of cash, the depositing of cash, the cashing of a check, the cashing of a money order, the buying of a money order, the transferring of funds by wire, paying a bill and purchasing of end user items.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0016]     In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an automated banking machine system, which performs the usual ATM functions but which additionally issues money orders for the user without the presence or the assistance of a teller. Additionally, the preferred and illustrated, automated banking machine system allows the depositing of cash into the machine and provides additional functions, such as transferring money by wire, paying bills or purchasing end user items from the machine.  
         [0017]     In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the automated banking system machine recognizes the cash inserted into the machine, totals it, and provides communication via a modem or the like connected to a banking network to pay a bill or to purchase of a money order. The user will write the amount into the money order blank within the machine. After having been written, the machine will dispense the money order to the user. The automated method and apparatus provides for the cash purchase by the user of items being dispensed from the machine such as lottery tickets, theater tickets, postage stamps or the like.  
         [0018]     In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the method and apparatus provide for the wire transfer of funds to a transferee over a banking network. In order to carry out the wire transfer, the user enters the name of the bank to which the wire transfer is to made and the account number of the person who is to receive the wire transfer. After providing payment for the funds to be wire transferred, the wire transfer is communicated through a modem of the machine to the banking network and thence to the recipient&#39;s account in the receiving bank. Preferably, a receipt is issued to the user showing the sum being wire transferred as well as the associated transaction cost. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the payment for the wire transfer can be by cash, a credit card, a smart card or from an account of the user.  
         [0019]     In accordance with a still further embodiment of the invention, the automated banking machine and apparatus allows the payment of invoices or bills owed by the user. After having been qualified as a user of the automated banking machine, the customer will see a display of the selection of bills that are payable through the machine. The user selects the type of bill to be paid and also selects from the display, one of several methods of payment, including the payment by cash. The bill to be paid is inserted into the machine where it is read along with the identity and account number of the bill payee. The reading of the amount and the identification of the payor may be difficult because of the many different formats of such bills. The machine automatically communicates over a modem to a bill payment network. The bill is stored in a bin, and a transaction tag is provided for the bill payment transaction. Preferably, the method of payment includes paying by cash, credit card, smart card or from the user&#39;s account. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the user may pay several bills, and the total for each bill and its associated transactional charges is accumulated. Finally, after payment, a receipt is generated showing the bills paid, the transactional charges, and the total expense incurred by the user in the payment of these bills.  
         [0020]     It will be seen from the foregoing that the preferred and illustrated embodiment of the invention provides increased revenue opportunities for owners of the automated banking machine to perform many of the services performed by a currency exchange or by a bank while charging a transactional fee for each transaction. Transaction charges may be made for a withdrawal from the user&#39;s account, the payment of a transaction, a deposit into the user&#39;s account, cashing of a check or money order, transfer of funds by wire, paying bills, purchasing end user items such as theater tickets, lottery tickets, etc.  
         [0021]     Another aspect of the present invention is to provide an automated banking system which does not need to dispense coins or small denomination change to the user. Dispensing coins adds complexity and time as well as frequent maintenance problems and service problems associated with keeping the coin changer apparatus functioning properly and filled with coins. The shutting down of the coin operation due to an empty or broken dispenser would likely result in the automatic banking machine being out-of-service despite being able to perform other non-charge producing transactions. Rather than dispensing coin change, the machine of the present invention will transfer the amount of change onto a credit card or a smart card balance and electronically dispense the same to the user by storing the credit on the stored card balance. Alternatively the machine will deposit the change balance into the user&#39;s account. Thus, the necessity for storing and dispensing bulky coin-type change is avoided.  
         [0022]     Also, in order to limit the amount of servicing that is needed, the preferred machine need not be provided with one dollar bills. The lowest dispensable denomination would be, for example, five dollars. Preferably, the cash bins within the machine are provided with $5.00 and $20.00 bills only, so that the amount that can be dispensed is sufficient for a weekend without being replenished in most instances. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0023]      FIG. 1  is a front view of the apparatus embodying the novel features of the invention including a left section, a central section, and a right section;  
         [0024]      FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the three sections of the machine shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0025]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  are views of an imaging station for scanning a document;  
         [0026]      FIG. 3  is a left side view of one section of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0027]      FIG. 4  is a right side view of the central section of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0028]      FIG. 5  is a right side view of the right section shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0029]      FIG. 6  is a enlarged view of the front of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  showing the various insertion slots or receiving slots on the apparatus of  FIG. 1  with identifying indicia thereon;  
         [0030]      FIG. 7  is a rear view of the machine shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0031]      FIG. 8  is a flow chart for showing the operations occurring after insertion of the card and for verification;  
         [0032]      FIG. 8A  shows the screen with the instruction to PLEASE INSERT YOUR CARD;  
         [0033]      FIG. 8B  shows a screen prompting entry of a user&#39;s password;  
         [0034]      FIG. 8C  shows the progression of the password verification operation;  
         [0035]      FIG. 8D  shows the screen when an incorrect password has been entered;  
         [0036]      FIG. 8E  shows that the password is not correct and that the card is being retained;  
         [0037]      FIG. 8F  shows a screen display prompting the user to make a touch screen selection of the language in which the transactions are to be processed;  
         [0038]      FIG. 9  shows on the screen the money exchange or transactions options available for the user;  
         [0039]      FIG. 9A  is a flow chart which shows the initial welcoming and the various options available to the user;  
         [0040]      FIG. 10  is a screen prompting a checking or savings step as part of a transaction;  
         [0041]      FIG. 11  is a screen showing different amounts for withdrawal from checking;  
         [0042]      FIG. 11A  is a flow chart showing the operations for a withdrawal transaction;  
         [0043]      FIG. 12  is a view showing the screen of having an amount prompt for a withdrawing from saving transaction;  
         [0044]      FIG. 13  is a flow chart with respect to making a deposit;  
         [0045]      FIG. 13A  is a screen showing the prompt for the source of a deposit into checking;  
         [0046]      FIG. 13B  shows a screen providing for entry of the amount of a check to be deposited;  
         [0047]      FIG. 13C  is a screen showing a prompt to endorse or sign the back of the check;  
         [0048]      FIG. 13D  shows the screen with a message of showing progress in confirming;  
         [0049]      FIG. 13E  shows a screen prompting the user to take a transaction receipt;  
         [0050]      FIG. 13F  is a screen with respect to a transaction for a deposit into saving;  
         [0051]      FIG. 13G  is a screen requesting the amount of cash to be deposited;  
         [0052]      FIG. 13H  is a flow chart showing machine operations with respect to a cash deposit;  
         [0053]      FIG. 13I  is a screen showing the amount of cash deposited;  
         [0054]      FIG. 13J  shows a request to deposit the cash into the cash acceptor slot;  
         [0055]      FIG. 13K  shows a machine verification of completion of the cash deposit;  
         [0056]      FIG. 14  is a flow chart with respect to the document scanning and verification operations;  
         [0057]      FIG. 15A  is a screen that shows an inquiry to the user requesting a decision as to making a further transaction;  
         [0058]      FIG. 15B  is a screen display of a touch screen version of the screen display shown in  FIG. 15A ;  
         [0059]      FIG. 16  is a view of the cashing check screen;  
         [0060]      FIG. 16A  is a flow chart showing the operations with respect to cashing a check;  
         [0061]      FIG. 16B  shows a screen for requesting the manual entry of the amount of the check to be cashed;  
         [0062]      FIG. 16C  requests the signing of the back of the check;  
         [0063]      FIG. 16D  is a screen showing a request to re-insert the inverted check;  
         [0064]      FIG. 16D D is a screen requesting the user to re-enter the check amount;  
         [0065]      FIG. 16E  shows a bar graph of the progress with respect to the reading of the check;  
         [0066]      FIG. 16F  shows a check cashing and the amount that is available to be received in cash;  
         [0067]      FIG. 16G  shows the completion of the check cashing and the receipt for the amount deposited to the user&#39;s account;  
         [0068]      FIG. 16H  is a touch screen display version of the screen shown in  FIG. 16B ;  
         [0069]      FIG. 17  is a flow chart showing the operations with respect to cashing a money order;  
         [0070]      FIG. 17A  is a screen shown to the user when cashing a money order;  
         [0071]      FIG. 17B  requests the signing of the back of the money order;  
         [0072]      FIG. 17C  states that the money order cannot be cashed;  
         [0073]      FIG. 18  shows the screen used when typing in the name of the payee with respect to a money order being purchased;  
         [0074]      FIG. 18A  shows the amount of the money order being purchased;  
         [0075]      FIG. 18B  is a flow chart showing the various operations being performed when buying a money order;  
         [0076]      FIGS. 18C and 18D  show the method of payment and the total transaction at the screen that the money order is being printed and the request to the user to take her receipt;  
         [0077]      FIG. 19  is a screen display for wiring money;  
         [0078]      FIG. 19A  shows the account to which the money is to be wired and the name of the bank having the account;  
         [0079]      FIG. 19B  shows and requests the entry of the Federal routing code;  
         [0080]      FIG. 19C  shows the account number being added;  
         [0081]      FIG. 19D  shows a screen requesting the amount and shows a service charge;  
         [0082]      FIG. 19E  is a flow chart showing the operations for a wire transfer;  
         [0083]      FIG. 19F  shows the total of the transaction and requests a selection of the method of payment;  
         [0084]      FIG. 20  is a screen showing a number of bills that can be paid through the apparatus;  
         [0085]      FIG. 20A  shows a telephone bill, service charge and total amount to be charged for payment of the telephone bill;  
         [0086]      FIG. 20B  shows a screen requesting entry of the telephone bill into the scanner slot;  
         [0087]      FIG. 20C  shows the selection of a gas bill for payment as well as a telephone bill;  
         [0088]      FIG. 20D  requests insertion of the gas bill into the scanner slot;  
         [0089]      FIG. 20E  shows the payment for a credit card bill;  
         [0090]      FIG. 20F  shows the amount of payment with respect to the telephone, gas and credit card bills; and the request for the method of payment;  
         [0091]      FIG. 20G  shows the screen when the bill is to paid by credit card;  
         [0092]      FIG. 20H  is a flow chart showing the operations that occur during a bill payment;  
         [0093]      FIG. 20I  shows a screen confirming payment of the bills;  
         [0094]      FIG. 20J  is a touch screen display version of the screen shown in  FIG. 20 ;  
         [0095]      FIG. 21  shows a screen for purchase of items such as stamps, smart cards or telephone cards;  
         [0096]      FIG. 21A  is a flow chart showing the various operations that occur during the purchasing transaction;  
         [0097]      FIG. 21B  shows a screen displaying request for a purchase of three smart cards and one telephone card;  
         [0098]      FIG. 21C  shows the total transaction and requests a selection of the method of payment;  
         [0099]      FIG. 21D  shows a screen showing a $25.00 transaction and showing how much has been inserted to pay for the transaction;  
         [0100]      FIG. 21E  shows that $20.00 has been paid;  
         [0101]      FIG. 21F  shows that $21.00 has been paid;  
         [0102]      FIG. 21G  shows that $24.00 has been paid;  
         [0103]      FIG. 21H  shows that the total of $25.00 has been paid and shows a message on the screen to take the merchandise;  
         [0104]      FIG. 21I  is a touch screen display version of the screen shown in  FIG. 21 ;  
         [0105]      FIG. 22  is a flow chart showing the various operations with respect to cash payment;  
         [0106]      FIG. 23  shows the payment of change either by credit to a card or by a deposit into a bank account;  
         [0107]      FIG. 24  is a block diagram of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 ; and  
         [0108]      FIG. 25  is a flow chart of a signature verification and character recognition process. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0109]     As shown in the drawings for purposes of illustration, the invention is embodied in an automated banking system that includes an apparatus  10  having a housing  12  for housing the components of the apparatus which are to receive an ATM card which can be inserted through an insert, slot or opening  14  in a front wall  16  of the housing. The insert slot  14  will accept the usual ATM card, credit cards, IC cards or smart cards. The card slot  14  is located immediately above a user keyboard  18  and below a user display  20  comprising a touch screen of the type sold by Dyna-Pro under its Model No. DTFP 95633. The user keyboard  18  supplies command signals to a microcomputer  21 , in this embodiment a 133 Mhz Pentium-based personal computer having a 2.1 gigabyte hard disk drive for storing software, a 32 megabyte random access memory for storing instructions and operands, a 133 Mhz Pentium microprocessor, an ISA bus, a PCI bus, a serial interface, and a parallel interface. ( FIG. 3 ). The microcomputer  21  executes application software under Windows 95, which among other things, responds to keystrokes on the user keyboard  18 , and signals from other input devices as set forth below. The microcomputer  21  drives the output display  20  in response to the software it is executing and the various signals it receives from the input devices connected to transfer signals to it.  
         [0110]     Located immediately behind the insert card slot  14  is a magnetic card reader  22  ( FIG. 4 ) which will read the ATM card, send signals to the microcomputer  21  through a serial communication card  21   a,  and immediately cause initialization, via the microcomputer  21 , of all hardware and software parameters for an operation. The touch screen  20  is provided to assist the user in identifying for the machine the area of the image occupied by the account number and dollar amount of a bill, as will be explained. The illustrated keyboard  18  is a very tough, vandal-resistant, industrial keyboard, such as the Model 300 manufactured by Everswitch USA of Silver Springs, Md. The preferred display  20  is a flat LCD display panel sold by Sony Corporation. The keyboard and display panels are selected because they are considered to be tough, strong, easy-to-use, and difficult for thieves or criminals to vandalize or to misuse to illicitly obtain funds from the machine. A backup storage device  23  connected to the computer  21  provides further security for the software and data stored on the hard drive.  
         [0111]     As shown in connection with the flow chart of  FIG. 8  entitled “insert card and verify screen”, the user will see on the screen display  20  the welcome message and a prompt to insert the banking (or ATM) card and to verify the password with the banking network. The user will be prompted to select English or Spanish as the language for the transactions as shown in  FIG. 8F . The user will then touch the screen display to select English or Spanish for the transaction language.  
         [0112]     In the card insert routine  300  a test is made in a step  302  to determine whether the magnetic striped identification card has been placed in the card reader. If it has not, control is transferred to a step  304  prompting the user to insert the card through the card slot. The card is then read in a step  306  and the user is prompted and enters a password in a step  308 . A test is made in a step  310  to determine whether the password is verifiable with the banking network when communicated over the modem  29 . If the password is not, a test is made in a step  312  allowing the password to be entered three more times. Assuming three unsuccessful tries in a step  314 , the incorrect password message is displayed and process loops back to the step  308 . If the password is found to be correct after step  310  the transaction is proceeded with in a step  316 . If as a result of step  308  the transaction is cancelled, control is transferred to a step  320  testing for whether another transaction has been requested. This may be done by screen prompts to be answered by the user as exemplified by the screen displays shown in  FIGS. 15A and 15B . The selection may be made by keypads  26  and  27 , as shown in  FIG. 15A  or by touch screen contact with the appropriately labelled portion of the screen display shown in  FIG. 15B . If it is, a service option screen  322  is displayed. If it is not, a test is made in step  324  to determine whether the card is in the card reader. If the card reader does not have a card in it the welcome screen is displayed in a step  326 . If the card is in the card reader it is ejected back to the customer in a step  328 . In the event that the password is entered more than three times control is transferred to a step  330  causing the card to be eaten or retained and placed in a card bin. In a step  332  the message is displayed on the touch screen that the card has been retained and the touch screen after that displays the welcome screen in the step  326 .  
         [0113]     The display shown in  FIG. 8A  prompts the user to insert the card. After the insertion of the card, the display will prompt the user to please enter the PIN or password number, as shown in  FIG. 8B . The processing of the entered password is shown in  FIG. 8C . If an incorrect password has been used with the card, then the screen display will display, as shown in  FIG. 8D , the phrase “incorrect password”, and prompt the user to “please try again”. If the subsequent or second password is incorrect, the machine retains the card and the screen display will show on its face, as shown in  FIG. 8E , the statement that there still is an incorrect password, and that the card is being retained. The card has been “eaten” by the machine. The card can be retrieved only by contacting the financial institution owning the machine. Having verified the card and having verified the password or PIN number with the banking network over a modem  29  or the like, the machine  10  is ready to proceed with a transaction. The modem  29  communicates with the computer  21  through the serial interface  21   a  to which it is connected.  
         [0114]     The user display screen  20  will then display the transaction options available to the user, such as those shown in  FIG. 9  which include 1) withdraw; 2) deposit; 3) cash check; 4) cash money order; 5) buy money order; 6) wire transfer; 7) bill payments; 8) purchase (lottery tickets, stamps and telephone cards). The display shown in  FIG. 9  will be on the panel display  20  and adjacent a pair of flanking additional keypads  26  and  27  ( FIGS. 1 and 6 ), which have arrow keys which are aligned with these options  1 - 8 . That is, the pressing of the arrow key  26   a  opposite the number “1)” “WITHDRAW” on the screen  20  will initiate a withdrawal. Whereas, the operation of the second arrow key  27   a  in the right hand bank of keys will initiate a “BUY MONEY ORDER” operation, to be described hereinafter.  
         [0115]     Assuming the user has selected the ”1)“withdrawal option by depressing the arrow key  26   a  opposite number “1) WITHDRAW”, the screen display  20  will then display a request to an account for a withdrawal, i.e., from a checking or savings account. This is shown in  FIG. 10  with the display of a “1) CHECKING” and a “2) SAVINGS” on the screen display opposite the arrow keys  26   a  and  26   b.  Assuming that the user wishes to withdraw money from a checking account, the user will press the arrow key  26   a.  The screen display  20  will then show the display of  FIG. 11  with the display labeled “WITHDRAW FROM CHECKING” and with the monetary amounts “20”, “40”, “50”, “100”, “200” and other listed opposite the selection arrow keys  26   a - 26   c  and  27   a - 27   c,  respectively. By operating one of the particular arrow keys, i.e., the arrow key $20.00 for withdrawal from checking, will signal other positions of the apparatus  10  to perform a number of operations shown on the flow chart entitled “WITHDRAW screen” shown in  FIG. 11A .  
         [0116]     In a step  340  the withdraw screen is engaged and in a step  342  the user is prompted by the screen to insert the card and a verify screen is displayed. If the card is verified control is transferred to a step  344  allowing the user to choose from a present withdrawal amount. If the user chooses to cancel the transaction control is transferred to a step  346  testing for another transaction. If the user chooses not to choose from a preset withdrawal amount, the user may enter the withdrawal amount in $5.00 increments in a step  348  or may cancel the transaction and proceed to the other transaction test step  346 . Assuming that the withdrawal amount has been entered in $5.00 increments, the withdrawal transaction is performed in a step  350  via checking over the banking network. In a step  352  the cash dispenser dispenses the withdrawn amount and in a step  354  the receipt is printed by the receipt printed. Control is then transferred to the step  346  testing for additional transaction prompts. If there is, the service option screen is then displayed in a step  360 . If not, the card is ejected from the card reader in a step  362  and the welcome screen is displayed in a step  364 .  
         [0117]     A connection will then be made by the electronics network and modem via the banking network to access the customer&#39;s account in the bank; and then there will be an operation of a cash dispenser  30  ( FIGS. 1 and 5 ) to dispense $20.00 in cash. The cash dispenser communicates with the computer  21  through the serial communication device  21   a  to which it is connected, as shown in  FIG. 24 .  
         [0118]     The cash dispenser  30  herein is a typical cash dispenser unit used in an ATM machine. The illustrated cash dispenser is a G &amp; D America, Inc. Model ACD which is made by Giestcke and Debrient America, Inc. The illustrated cash dispenser  30  has four (4) bins. Each bin can hold four hundred notes. The preferred cash dispenser  30  is loaded with four hundred $5.00 notes in one bin. The other three bins are each loaded with four hundred $20.00 notes. Manifestly, more or less bins may be used and also different cash dispensers may be used than that described herein.  
         [0119]     The illustrated and preferred cash dispenser  30 , as shown in  FIG. 5 , is mounted for sliding horizontally to the right for reloading, and is slid back into the position shown in  FIG. 5  where it is supported on slide tracks  32  mounted on the housing  12 . The cash being dispensed drops through a chute  36  into a hopper  38  having a pivoted axis door  40 . The pivoted access door  40  allows the dispensed cash to drop into a dispensed cash bin  42 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , in order to withdraw dispensed cash the user will reach through a cash bin window  46  in the front housing wall  16  and remove the cash from the bin  42 . As shown in  FIG. 7A , access to the interior of the housing  12  and to the cash dispenser  30  for the replenishing the cash is through a rear housing door  44 . The rear housing door  44  has a double security lock  47   a  and  47   b  and a handle  48 . With the rear housing door  44  open, the cash bins can be accessed and slid along the tracks  32 . The double security lock  47   a  and  47   b  provides security for the cash sections in the normal manner of an ATM.  
         [0120]     If the user had chosen the “SAVINGS ACCOUNT” on the display  20  for withdrawal transaction (shown in  FIG. 10 ), she would have pressed the arrow key  26   b  opposite the “SAVINGS ACCOUNT” prompt on the screen display  20 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , the display  20  would then show the withdrawal from savings screen having the prompt “WITHDRAW FROM SAVINGS.” The user is requested to enter the amount in $5.00 increments of the amount to be withdrawn. In this instance, the user operates the keyboard to type in $500.00, the amount to be withdrawn from savings. In such event, the withdraw screen and flow chart shown in  FIG. 12  is used to perform the withdrawal from savings by the modem through the banking network, and the cash dispenser  30  is then operated to dispense the cash into the cash bin  42  for removal by the user.  
         [0121]     For either a withdrawal from savings or a withdrawal from checking, it is preferred to print out a receipt with a receipt printer  50  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . The receipt printer is connected to the computer  21  through a parallel communication device  51 . The receipt printer  50  dispenses a printed paper receipt which is fed therefrom and is issued, in this instance, from a receipt dispensing slot  52  in the front wall  16  of housing  12 . The user will then receive the receipt which shows not only the amount being withdrawn but also the transaction fee. Thus, the total withdrawn from checking or savings for the transaction will include not only the cash dispensed but also the transaction fee, i.e., $1.00 per transaction.  
         [0122]     The illustrated receipt printer  50  is preferably a Model MP342F, manufactured by Star Micronics America, Inc. of Piscataway, N.J. The receipt printer  50  has an automatic cutter for cutting the receipt after printing. Manifestly, other printers or receipt generators may be used than the model described herein.  
         [0123]     The welcome screen is displayed in a step  220 , as shown in  FIG. 9A . In a step  222  all hardware and software parameters are initialized. In a step  224  the service options screen is displayed, allowing a choice to enter. The withdrawal screen  226 , the deposit screen  228 , the check cashing screen  230 , the cashing of money order screen  232 , buy money order screen  234 , the wire transfer screen  236 , the bill payment screen  238  or a make purchase screen  240 .  
         [0124]     Assuming now that the user had selected the deposit # 2  option as shown in  FIG. 9 , and wanted to deposit into the checking or savings account, the user would have pressed the arrow key  26   b  of the keypad  26 , which is opposite “DEPOSIT”. This action results in a request whether to deposit into a checking account or into a savings account. Assuming the deposit was made into the checking account, the flow chart of  FIG. 13  shows the steps performed by apparatus  10  which will be described in greater detail hereinafter.  
         [0125]     The deposit screen, which is displayed in a step  380 , requests insertion of the card and displays a verify screen in a step  382 . If the card is not inserted control is transferred to a step  384  testing for whether any other transaction is to be carried out. If it is, in a step  386  the service option screen is displayed. If not, in a step  388  the card is ejected and the welcome screen is displayed in a step  390 . In the event that the card has been verified a prompt is made to the user in the step  392  as to the type of deposit. If the user elects to cancel the transaction, control is transferred to the step  384 . If the user selects “Cash”, a cash deposit screen is displayed in a step  394 . If they select “Checking”, a check deposit screen is displayed in a step  396  and if they choose “Money Order,” a money order deposit screen is displayed in a step  398 . Control is then transferred to a step  400 , causing the selected transaction to be performed by a modem  29  through the banking network. In a step  402  the receipt is printed out and control is then transferred to the other transaction test step  384 .  
         [0126]     The deposit into checking screen display ( FIG. 13A ) prompts the user with the statement: “WHAT WOULD LIKE TO DEPOSIT IN YOUR CHECKING ACCOUNT 1) cash; 2) check; or 3) money order”. Assuming that the user has elected to deposit a check, the check transaction will be selected by pressing the arrow key  26 b of the keypad  26 . As shown in  FIG. 13B , a request then will appear on the screen display  20  labeled ” DEPOSIT CHECK” opposite a window  52  for the amount of the check. In the window  52 , the operator will then use the keyboard  18  to enter the deposit amount of $675.52. In this instance, a service charge in the amount of $1.00 will also be displayed, as shown in  FIG. 13B  to the user. If the user has not endorsed the check, the user will see, upon entering the amount, will be that shown in  FIG. 13C , which will request the user to “sign the back of the check”, and “when ready to insert the check into a scanner slot”. A scanner slot  54  is located above the user display  20 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 6 . In this instance, the check will be inserted vertically. The illustrated slot  54  is approximately 4″×9″, and the inserted check will be scanned while it is in this vertical position, as will be described hereinafter. As the check enters the slot  54 , it is gripped by feed rollers and moved along a feeding track  56  ( FIG. 2 ). The check feeds directly into and stops at an imaging station  55  where the check is scanned or images of the front and the back sides of the check are captured. A scanning and confirm flow chart is shown at  FIG. 14 . It will be described in greater detail hereinafter with respect to the software control and operations of the machine. As shown in this flow chart, an optical character recognition (OCR) scanner scans the document. A magnetic ink (MICR) reader reads the magnetic ink data on the check, which will include the bank&#39;s identification number as well as the user&#39;s checking account number with the bank. Also, while the check is in this stopped position, its legal line will be scanned, and the CAR line will be scanned to verify that the check is for the correct amount, in this instance $675.52. Also, while in the vertical stopped position, it is preferred to have a camera unit  58  and  60  ( FIG. 2 ) disposed on opposite sides to capture images of both sides of the check and connected through a SCSI device  59  to the computer  21 . The images are stored on a magnetic recording medium in TIFF format and are provided with a tag so that the image file, as shown in  FIG. 14 , can be later accessed if so desired.  
         [0127]     At the beginning of the scanning operation, the check image is processed to ascertain if the check has been inserted correctly. In the scanning operation  420  the document is inserted in the scanner slot in a step  422 . The scanner using the camera  58  and  60  scans both sides of the documents and reads the magnetic ink via a magnetic transducer in a step  424 . The document is placed in the holding area in a step  426  and a determination is made in a step  428  as to whether the document is a check or money order on the basis of the presence or absence of the magnetic ink data. A check is also made in a step  430  to determine whether the document is inserted correctly. If it is not, the document is ejected from the document slot in a step  432  and the touch screen displays if the document is inserted incorrectly in a step  434  following which control is transferred back to the step  422 . If the document is not a check or money order as determined in a step  428 , control is transferred to a step  440  causing both sides of the document to be saved in a tagged image file format. If the document was inserted correctly as tested for in step  430 , both sides of the document are saved in a step  440 . In a step  442 , the images are analyzed by amount recognition software of the types supplied by Mitek of San Diego, Calif., in particular its Quickstrokes Version 2.5 software. Control is transferred to that software from step  442  and as may best be seen in  FIG. 25 , in a step  450  the software is run. In a step  452 , the software recognition device is created and initialized. The form files are read in a step  454 , which form files include the positions where the courtesy amount recognition and where the signatures are likely stored in the fields within the document. In a step  456  the scanned image file is read and in a step  458  the neural network contained within the Quickstrokes software recognizes the characters written in the signature line as well as the characters written in the courtesy amount recognition space and in the amount recognition line. The recognized characters are then evaluated from the standpoint of a present confidence level in a step  460 , and character strings representative of those characters are returned to the software set forth in  FIG. 14  for further evaluation. Referring now to  FIG. 14  in a step  470 , the strings representing the signature verification as well as the amount on the document are forwarded to the bank network by the modem  29  for confirmation for payout. If there is no confirmation control is transferred to a step  472  causing the document to be ejected from the document slot and in a step  424  a document rejection message is displayed. In a step  476  the current transaction is denied. In the event that the documents are confirmed in a step  470 , the check or money order is stacked in an accepted documents bin in a step  478  and confirmation on the current transaction is sent to the banking network in a step  480 .  
         [0128]     If the images are not stored, the check is carried around the U-shaped feed path  61  back to an eject slot  61   a  in the housing wall  14  for retrieval by the user. The eject slot  61   a  is parallel with and to the left of the insert slot  54 . Assuming that the check has been re-inserted correctly and images of both the front and back have been captured, then the check is sent to an escrow or holding area  64  in the check feed track. The holding area  64  communicates through the serial communication device  21   a  with the computer  21 , as shown in  FIG. 24 . As best seen in  FIG. 4  at the escrow area  64 , the check is held for either depositing into a store bin  66  if the check has been qualified and accepted, or the check depositing transaction, the check will be fed from the escrow area back to the eject slot  61   a  for removal by the user if failure to verify the signature causes the check to be rejected for deposit. Assuming that the banking network has been connected by the modem  29  to other portions of the apparatus  10  and that the check has been verified, the amount deposited is sent over the banking network to the identified bank and identified account of the user for deposit. The receipt printer  50  is then operated to provide a written receipt to the user showing the amount deposited minus the transaction charge of $1.00.  
         [0129]     Referring now to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the document handling of a money order or a check will now be described in greater detail. The check is inserted vertically through the scanner slot  54  and passes in front of a pair of first infrared sensors  101  and  102 , which sense that the check has been inserted. These sensors are on opposite sides of a guide or feed track  100  which includes a pair of spaced parallel plates  103  and  103   a  extending inwardly to the imaging station  55 . Immediately beyond the infrared sensors  101  and  102 , which detect the insertion of the document, is a pressure roller  105  to push the check against the plate  103 . The check is pushed forwardly past a set of infrared sensors  110  and  112 , which will detect when the check is fully inserted into the scanner slot and is gripped by a feeding belt  112  that runs through an entry slot  114  between the image scanners  58  and  60  at the imaging station  54 . The feeding belt  112  extends through imaging station to a large diameter roller  121  ( FIG. 2B ). The check pauses in its travel at the imaging station  54 , where the image taking video or other scanners  58  and  60  take images of the front and back of the check. Optical character recognition readers read the magnetic ink recognition characters for the bank and for the customer&#39;s account. Electronic signals from the image takers  58  and  60  provide information concerning the signature for the check, the legal line and the amount written thereon, and the CAR line and the amount written thereon, all of which are stored magnetically, in this instance, and provided with tag number for later recapture.  
         [0130]     As best seen in  FIG. 2B , a U-shaped track  120  is provided around the large diameter roller  121  to guide the check to reverse its direction of travel and to move into a slot between plates  122  and  123  of the check guide track  100  to a pair of inlet infrared sensors  125  and  126 , which sense the check coming into the inlet of the escrow area  64 . The feeding belt  112  is a cogged timing belt which carries the checks about the drum  121  and between the plates  122  and  123  to the inlet to the escrow area. The cogged feeding belt is driven by a stepper motor and travels about guide rollers  127 .  
         [0131]     At the escrow or holding area  64 , there is provided a large belt driving drum  130  which drives a cogged feeding belt  131  for conveying the check first upwardly and to the left into the holding area and from the latter into the deposit bin  66  above the holding area  64 . If the check is to be rejected, the feeding belt  131  reverses its direction of travel to eject the check through the eject slot  62 . The driving roller  130  includes a stepper motor  132 , which is mounted on the top of the roller  130 . The stepper motor  132  is reversible in its rotation for rotating a drum  130  and the feeding belt  131  in opposite directions and through a controlled distance.  
         [0132]     Infrared sensors  125  and  126  sense the passage of the check from the imaging station  55  into the escrow area  64 . The feeding belt  131  is guided along and travels past a series of guide rollers  134   a,    134   b,    134   c  and  134   d  to the top of the holding area. The endless timing belt  131  turns about the top guide roller  134 d and travels downwardly and to the right past a roller  136  to return to a side of the drum  130 , as seen in  FIG. 2A .  
         [0133]     The check is pushed against the timing belt  131  to travel with the timing belt by four sets of pressure rollers  140   a,    140   b,    140   c  and  140   d.  At the top of the holding area is another pair of infrared sensors  141  and  142 , which sense the arrival of the upper edge of the check and they signal that the check has been moved completely into the holding area with the lower end of the check being at or above the rollers  140   a  and  134   a  at the bottom of the holding area and aligned with the eject slot  62 . Once the check has been accepted, the stepper motor  132  is turned to drive the drum  130  and the feeding belt  131  to cause the check to travel upwardly into the overhead deposit bin  66 . On the other hand if the check is rejected as being unacceptable, the feeding belt travels in the opposite downward direction to push the lower edge of the check through the eject slot  62  and return it to the user. A lower end of the guide plate and a spring guide finger  147  guide the outgoing ejected check to slide and travel along a short guide plate  148  to the aligned eject slot  62 . Infrared sensors  150  and  151  ( FIG. 2A ) at the bottom of the holding track sense when the check has been removed from the eject slot by the machine user.  
         [0134]     During the deposit transaction, the screen display  20  will show a confirming message, such as shown in  FIG. 13D , in the form of a bar that progresses from left to right in window  69  being viewed by the user. As the receipt is generated by receipt printer  50 , the screen display  20  ( FIG. 13E ) will show that $674.52 “WILL BE DEPOSITED INTO YOUR ACCOUNT. PLEASE TAKE THE RECEIPT WITH YOU.” 
         [0135]     If, rather than depositing the check into a checking account, the user had selected deposit into a savings account, the screen will display the deposit into savings account shown in  FIG. 13F . Then, the user would press the arrow key  26 b for the “CHECK”; and the check would have been deposited the same as described above with respect to deposit into the checking. A cash receipt would have been provided to the user, as was the cash receipt generated for the deposit into the checking account.  
         [0136]     Assuming that the user had decided to deposit cash into checking and had pushed the # 1  cash button  26   a  of the keypad for the display screen of  FIG. 13A  or had pressed the same button for a cash deposit into savings ( FIG. 13F ), the processor would follow the steps of the cash deposit flow chart shown in  FIG. 13H .  
         [0137]     In the cash deposit process  500  as set forth in  FIG. 13H  the cash acceptor is initialized in a step  502 . Money is inserted in the cash acceptor in a step  504  and is accepted thereby. The bills are read and are transferred to a cash bin in a step  506  and the total of the bills presented in added up in a step  508 . If the user elects to deposit more bills in the cash deposit in a step  510  control is transferred back to step  5 . 04 . If not, control is transferred to a step  512  where the deposit transaction is proceeded with.  
         [0138]     The user display  20  as shown in  FIG. 13G  for deposit cash would display the prompt “PLEASE INSERT YOUR. BILLS INTO THE ACCEPTOR SLOT  60 , WHICH IS SHOWN IN THE RIGHTHAND SECTION ABOVE THE CASH DISPENSER.” As may best be seen in  FIG. 5 , the cash dispenser accepting slot  60  leads into a cash acceptor module  62 , which accepts cash, specifically bills in denominations of $1.00, $5.00, $10.00 or $20.00. As shown in  FIG. 24 , the cash acceptor module  62  is connected to the computer  21  via a resistor network  62   a  having a plurality of current limiting resistors. The resistor network is connected to a digital I/O board  62   b,  in this embodiment a National Instruments PC-DIO-96. The digital I/O board  62   b  is coupled to the computer  21 . The cash acceptor module  62  counts the deposited bills and has a bin in a hopper  64  to receive the counted bills. The cash acceptor module  62  is pivotally mounted at  66  to be swung to a dotted line position for emptying deposited bills therefrom. The preferred cash acceptor module  62  merely stacks the inserted bills and counts the same. The cash acceptor module  62  is preferably a Mars Electronic International Cash Acceptor Model AL4-L1-U1M, which is one of several available cash acceptors. It will not only stack the bills and retain them in a machine, but will add up the total amount of cash. The cash flow chart shown in  FIG. 13H  will be described in greater detail hereinafter in connection with the software and overall control of the machine. The deposit transaction proceed from the flow chart of  FIG. 13H  back to the flow chart of  FIG. 13  to proceed through the modem and banking methods to make the deposit into the user&#39;s checking or savings account. The machine  10  will operate the receipt printer  50  to print a receipt to be dispensed to the user through the receipt slot  52 , showing the amount deposited less the transaction fee, which is illustrated as $1.00 in this instance.  
         [0139]     When depositing cash, the illustrated cash acceptor  62  will total the cash received and show this cash being deposited, as shown on the screen  20  which shows that the $20.00 has been deposited after $45.00 more dollars have been deposited, making for a total deposit of $65.00, as shown in  FIG. 13J . A receipt will then be printed by the receipt printer  50 , and the user will be notified that $65.00 will be deposited in the user&#39;s account ( FIG. 13K ).  
         [0140]     Assuming that the user, when prompted by the options screen of  FIGS. 3 and 9 , has elected to press the arrow key  26   c  to initiate the check cashing transaction, the user display  20  will prompt the user to enter the amount of the check into the window  68  ( FIG. 16 ). The flow chart, with respect to cashing a check, is shown in  FIG. 16A .  
         [0141]     The cash check process is entered at a point  520  and as a result, the magnetic card reader accepts a magnetic identification card in a step  522  and displays a verify screen. The user can exit the transaction by transferring to a step  524  where he or she is prompted for another transaction. If not, the amount of the check is entered in a step  526  and the check is scanned and confirmed in a step  528  as set forth previously. The user then enters an amount in a step  530  to be received in cash and the banking network is accessed in a step  532  to determine whether the check has a balance from which the check may be cashed. If so, in a step  534  the cash dispenser dispenses cash in the cash amount and in a step  536  the receipt is printed by the receipt printer. Control is then transferred to a step  524  and if another transaction is desired, the service option screen is accessed in a step  526 . If another transaction is not wanted, control is transferred to a step  528  causing the card to be ejected from the card reader and in a step  530  the welcome screen is displayed.  
         [0142]     The user enters through the keyboard  18  the amount, such as $90.00, shown in  FIG. 16B , the amount will be scanned and confirmed, and the service charge of $1.00 is shown on the screen display of  FIG. 16 . The user may select to continue the transaction or to cancel it by pressing the appropriate button of keypads  26  or  27 . The touch screen display shown in  FIG. 16H  allows the user to make the selection by touching the portions of the display labelled either CONTINUE or CANCEL. If the user has not signed the back of the check, the user will be requested to do so ( FIG. 16C ). If the check was inserted backwards, as it is viewed by the scanner, the check will be returned through the rejected material outlet slot  62 . The user will invert the check and insert it now in the correct vertical position into the insert slot  54 . From there the check will be carried into the scanning imaging station where cameras  58  and  60  will capture the images of opposite sides of the check. The processor by executing document verification software will then analyze the signature image and compare it with the profile signature of the user. Likewise, the processor by using the verification software, will also read the cursive legal amount line and the written numerical amount at the CAR line, as will be described hereinafter in connection with the document verification software in greater detail.  
         [0143]     After re-insertion of the check, the user will be requested to re-enter the amount of $90.00 ( FIG. 16D ). The check image will again be processed and if the amounts match the keyed-in amount the user display will show an “OK” for the amount ( FIG. 16D ). During the scanning and the verification operations with communication to the user&#39;s account, through the banking modem, the screen will display “OCR” with a movable bar, as shown in  FIG. 16E . The next prompt shown on this screen will be to enter the portion of the check amount that the user wants to receive in cash. The cash is selected in $5.00 increments. The machine then informs the user any remaining amount of the check will be received in cash ( FIG. 16F ). With reference to the specific example given herein as shown in  FIG. 16F , the user&#39;s screen display  20  will show that there has been a $90.00 check scan with a service charge of $1.00, leaving a balance of $89.00. The operator will have used the keyboard to enter the request for $40.00 cash, in $5.00 increments, as shown in window  70 . As will be explained in greater detail in connection with check cashing flow chart of.  FIG. 16A , the cash dispenser  30  will then be operated to dispense $40.00 into the cash bin  56 , which the user will then remove. As shown in  FIG. 16G , the amount of $40.00 will be deposited in the user&#39;s account through the banking network; and the receipt printer  50  will print a receipt for the deposit of $40.00.  
         [0144]     The cashing of the money order is much like cashing a check. It will be described hereinafter in connection with the flow chart shown in  FIG. 17 , and in connection with the screen of  FIG. 17A .  
         [0145]     The cash money order process is accessed in a step  570 . The magnetic card is prompted to be inserted in a step  522  and a verify screen is raised. If the user decides to exit the transaction, she may so signal and control is transferred to a step  574 , testing for whether another transaction is desired. Assuming that the card is verified and that the transaction is to proceed, the amount of the money order to be paid out is entered in a step  576 . In a step  578  the money order is inserted and scanned and confirmed, and in a step  580 , assuming the confirmation occurs, the user enters the amount for the money order to receive in cash. In a step  580  a query is generated by a modem to the banking network to determine whether the amount of the money order is backed by funds. Assuming that it is, in a step  584  the cash dispenser dispenses the cash amount and a receipt is printed in a step  586 . Control is then transferred to the other transaction test step. If another transaction is desired the service option screen is displayed in a step  588  if not, the card reader is ejected in a step  590  and the welcome screen is displayed in a step  592 .  
         [0146]     Assuming that the user, when viewing the options available ( FIG. 9 ) had pressed the arrow  26 d opposite “cash money order”, to institute this transaction, a prompt is then made of the user, as shown in  FIG. 17A , to operate the keyboard  18  to enter the amount of the money order, which, in this instance, is $750.00. The screen will also show the transaction service charge of $1.00 and the available amount of $100.00 in cash.  
         [0147]     The cash money order screen displays $100.00 in a window  71  and prompts the operator to enter from the keyboard  18  the amount of cash that the user would like to receive in $5.00 increments. In this instance, the user has entered $100.00 into the window  71 . In a manner similar to that used for the scanning of the check, the cameras  58  and  60  photograph both sides of the cash money order and locate the indicia showing the amount of the money order and read the amount indicia. The magnetic ink indicia identifying the issuer and the account of the issuer are read; and the signature on the back of the money order is scanned and confirmed. Then a communications network via a modem is connected to the issuer&#39;s account, indicating that the authenticity of the money order is being checked. When the machine  10  receives signals that the money order is authentic, the cash dispenser  30  is then operated to transfer $100.00 cash into the cash bin  46  for removal by the user. If the user had not signed the back of the money order, he would have been informed to reinsert the money order, as shown in  FIG. 17B . If the money order could not be processed, it would be returned through the reject slot  62 . The user display  20  would state that the money order could not be processed and that the user should check with his financial institution, as shown in  FIG. 17C .  
         [0148]     Assuming the user had selected, in  FIG. 9 , the # 5  option of buying a money order by pressing the right hand button  27   a  on the keypad, then the buy money order screens and flow chart would have been operative, as will now be described. The first prompt shown on the purchase money order display  20  ( FIG. 18 ), requests the name of the person to whom the money order is to be paid. In this instance, the name is John Doe, as shown in  FIGS. 18 and 18 A. Having operated the user keyboard  18  to enter the payee&#39;s name, i.e., “John Doe,” the operator will next enter the amount of $500.00, as shown in window  72  in  FIG. 18A . The service charge of $0.50 is shown so that the total amount needed for the purchase of the money is $500.50. As may best be seen in  FIG. 18B , it is preferred to provide the purchaser of the money order with a number of options for payment including by cash, by credit card withdrawal from an account of the user, and by a smart card. Or the user may return to the money order, if he so desires. The flow chart for buying a money order is shown in  FIG. 18B .  
         [0149]     In a buy money order transaction, the process is entered via step  600  and the money order recipient&#39;s name is entered in a step  602  or if cancellation is desired, control is transferred to another transaction test step  604 . Assuming that the recipient&#39;s name has been entered, the amount of the money order is entered in a step  606  and in a step  608  a method of payment is chosen causing prompts to occur via a cash payment screen  610 , a credit card screen  612 , a smart card payment screen  614  or a balance withdrawal screen  616 . The particular transaction for payment is then processed in a step  618  and the money order is printed out in a step  620 . A receipt is printed in a step  622  and the transaction test  604  is then made. If further transactions are to occur, the service option screen is displayed in a step  624 . If not, a test is done in a step  626  to determine if the card is in the card reader. If it is, the card is ejected in a step  628  and the welcome screen is displayed in a step  630 .  
         [0150]     The buy money order transaction will be tagged and through the banking network, the printer  76  ( FIG. 1 ) will print the money order. The money order printer  76  is disposed, in this instance, side-by-side with the receipt printer  50 , as is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3  and is connected to the computer  21  through the parallel communication device  51 , as shown in  FIG. 24 . The printed money order is dispensed from a money order dispensing slot  78 , which is adjacent to the receipt printing slot  72  in the front housing wall  16  of the apparatus  10 . The illustrated money order printer may be similar to the receipt printer  50  and is available from Star Micronics America, Inc., Model MP3342F. It includes an automatic cutter.  
         [0151]     As shown in  FIG. 18C , the user screen display  20  will then display that $500.50 has been withdrawn from the user&#39;s account, and that the money order is being printed. Both a money order and a receipt will be issued from the money order slot  78  and the receipt slot  52 , respectively.  
         [0152]     If the user had selected the wire transfer option in  FIG. 9  and had depressed the arrow key  27   a  for wire transfer, the screen of  FIG. 19  would be displayed on the user&#39;s display  20  prompting the user to use the keyboard  18  to enter the name of the person to whom the money is to be wired. Then the screen display  20  would request the name of the bank, as shown in  FIG. 19A , which will be entered, such as First American. The next request of the user is shown in  FIG. 19B  and that is for the Federal routing code or the routing for the bank for the transfer. The routing is to be typed in by the user using the keyboard. The number “7896654” has been typed in as the federal routing code in  FIG. 19B . The account number of the receiver is then requested, as shown in  FIG. 19C . The account number in this instance is shown as “987-87654” and has been typed in by the user using the keyboard  18 .  
         [0153]     Having entered the information for the wire transfer to a specific account, the screen display  20  requests the amount to be sent, which in this instance, as shown in window  78  is $850.00. A service charge of 10%, or $85.00 of the $850.00 amount charged is shown to the user bringing the transaction total to $935.00, as shown in window  78   a.  The flow chart for a wire transfer of money is shown in  FIG. 19E .  
         [0154]     The wire transfer process  640  is started with a step  642  for entering information related to the transfer related to the bank the transfer is to be made to as well as the account. In a step  644  the amount to be transferred is entered. In a step  646  the method of paying for the wire transfer is selected, causing control to transfer to a cash payment screen  648 , to a credit card screen  650 , to a smart card payment screen  652  or to a withdrawal screen  654 . Following that, in a step  656  the selected payment transfer occurs and the wire transfer occurs via the modem over the banking network. In a step  658  a receipt is printed and in a step  660  a test is made for whether another transaction is to occur. If it is, a service option screen is displayed in a step  662 . If it is not, a test is made in a step  664  to determine if the card is in the reader. If so, the card is ejected in a step  666  and the welcome screen is displayed in a step  668 .  
         [0155]     A request for the method, of payment which can be any of four different payment methods, is shown in  FIG. 19F . In this instance, the options of cash, credit card, withdrawal from my account, or smart card may be selected by operating the appropriate keypads  26  and  27  along the display  20 , shown in  FIG. 19F . After selecting the appropriate method of payment, the machine is then connected over the banking network ( FIG. 19E ) to the bank to deposit $850.00 in John Doe&#39;s account no. 987-87654. The printer will cause a printout of the receipt showing a payment and wire transfer to John Doe of $850.00 and a total transaction fee of $935.00, the latter may be charged by credit card, smart card, or withdrawal from my account, as shown in  FIG. 19E . On the other hand, the user could have deposited cash of $935.00 to the cash acceptor slot  60 , which would then count and hold the cash in the cash acceptor  34 . Having finished the transaction, the charge card (if used for payment) would be ejected, as shown in  FIG. 19E .  
         [0156]     Returning again to the options available as shown in  FIG. 9 , if the operator had pressed the key  47   c  on the keypad  47  to select the “bill payments” option, then a bill option screen ( FIG. 20 ) would have been shown on the user display  20 . The bills which may be paid are listed on the display  20 , viz., telephone, electric, gas, cable, water and credit cards. The operator will use one of the keypad buttons on keypads  46  and  47  to select from the screen of  FIG. 4  the particular bill to be paid. In the alternative the bill payment selection may be made by touching the appropriately labelled region of the menu display on the touch screen display shown in  FIG. 20J . It will be requested on the user display, as shown in  FIG. 20A , to enter the amount for the bill selected, such as $129.67 for the telephone bill. Then, the telephone bill may be inserted into the scanning material insert slot  54  where the images of both sides of the bill will be captured. The particular bill payments have to be qualified with the user&#39;s account beforehand, and the particular bill has to be recognized so that the amount of the bill and the field of the money can be located as well as the identity of the company—the telephone company, in this instance. The verifier will read the customer&#39;s account number, the payee&#39;s account number, and the amount of the bill. The position of this data on the bill as well as the script, font, etc. will vary greatly. To aid in reading the bill, a keypad may be provided for operation by the user. Having manually identified for the processor all of the fields on the image of bill, the interpretation of the field image is done in the same manner as analyzing a check or money order. The bill is verified, and if OK, the request is then stated as to the total amount to be paid for the transaction. The user then will receive the request to enter the amount to pay on the telephone bill, as shown in  FIG. 20A , which in this instance, is $129.67. The service charge of $0.60 will be also displayed to the user on the user display  20  along with the total, which is shown in the window at the bottom of the screen. For instance, the total charge of $130.27 ( FIG. 20A ) to pay the particular telephone bill.  
         [0157]     When paying a telephone bill the screen will then interrogate the user as to whether she wishes to pay another bill via an inquiry, such as the inquiry shown in  FIG. 20C  wherein it is desired to pay a gas bill of $45.22. The sum of $45.22 is entered by the user using the keyboard  18 . As shown in  FIG. 20D , the user is then prompted to load the gas bill into the scanner slot. The gas bill will be read in the same manner as the telephone bill was read by the cameras  58  and  60 . The magnetic or the other optical character recognition information on the bill will be analyzed to connect the payment of $45.22 to the appropriate account to the bill paying network. If the user also decides to pay a gas bill, the user will press “continue”. Herein, the user decided to pay a credit card bill of $96.82 as shown in  FIG. 20E  for a third service charge of $0.60, which will bring the of the total service charges to $1.80.  
         [0158]     The total amount of the three bills, the telephone bill, the gas bill and the credit card bill plus the service charge will be $273.51.  
         [0159]     Next, the method of payment is requested ( FIG. 20F ); and if the user elects to pay with credit card, he will press the keypad button  26   b  and cause the screen  FIG. 20G  to be shown on the user panel  20 , requesting that the user insert the credit card bill into the slot. The bill payments have been made over the bills payment network and the bills will have been collected in the receiver bin. This process is set forth as shown in  FIG. 20H .  
         [0160]     The bill payment process  720  is entered by selecting the type of bill such as telephone bill, electric bill, to be paid in a step  722 . The bill is scanned and verified in a step  724  and the amount to be paid is entered manually in a step  726 . A test is made in a step  728  to determine whether other bills are to be paid. If so, control is transferred to step  722 . If not, control is transferred to a step  730 , testing for other transactions. A method of payment inquiry is made in a step  732  and in response thereto, a cash screen is displayed in a step  734  or a credit card payment screen is displayed in a step  736 . A smart card payment screen is displayed in a step  738  or a withdrawal screen is displayed in a step  740 . After selecting the payment method, the funds are then transferred so that the bill is paid via modem connection in a step  742  and a receipt is printed out in a step  744 . If another transaction is desired from step  730 , the service option screen is displayed in a step  746 . Otherwise, a test is made to determine if the card is in a card reader in a step  748 . The card is ejected in a step  750  and the welcome screen is displayed in a step  752 .  
         [0161]     When finished with the bill payment, the screen display shows that $273.51 has been withdrawn from the account in  FIG. 20H  with a notation that “your bills are paid”. As flow chart for the bill payment shows in  FIG. 20H , the receipt is printed by the receipt printer  50  which then ejects the receipt through the slot  52  to the user. The ATM card is then ejected from the card reader back to the user.  
         [0162]     If the user had elected in  FIG. 9  to buy lottery tickets, stamps or telephone calling cards, the purchase option would be selected by depressing the keypad button  47 d to cause the purchase display screen of  FIG. 21  to be present on the user display  20 , which shows the option of buying stamps at $6.50 a booklet, a smart card at $5.00 a card, or a telephone card at $10.00 a card obviously, the number of items to be purchased could be enlarged to include lottery tickets or other end user items, which could be dispensed easily through purchasing goods dispensing slots  84 ,  85  and  86  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 6  below three goods dispenser units comprising a lottery ticket dispenser  87 , a stamp dispenser  88 , a telephone calling card dispenser  89  and a smart card transaction vendor or handler  89   a,  all connected to the digital I/O board  62   b  via the resistor network  62   a  for communication with the computer  21 . The dispenser receiving slots are located in the front wall  16  of the housing  12 , and the dispensers for the stamps, telephone cards or smart card are mounted on rails  90 , as best seen in  FIG. 3 . The rails  90  allow for sliding movement so that they can be accessed through a rear service door  94  ( FIG. 7 ). The rear service door  94  has its own security lock  96  for denying unauthorized access to the interior of the housing  12  and to the goods dispensers  87 ,  88  and  89 . A central door  97  having a security lock  98  can be opened to access the central portion of the machine  10  having the checks and the bills  66 , the cameras  58  and  60 , etc. While a variety of dispensers could be used, the illustrated dispensers are card dispensers which are made by Asahi Seiko USA, Inc., Model CD1000. Manifestly, dispensers may be used other than those card dispensers herein described by way of example.  
         [0163]     As shown in  FIG. 21 , the user may select one or more of the various items to be purchased. A telephone card may be selected by pushing the key  46   c  to select one $10.00 card. By pressing the “continue” button, the user is then provided with a screen display, as shown in  FIG. 21B  for buying smart cards or stamps. In the alternative the touch screen display shown in  FIG. 21I  can be used to make the selection by touching the appropriately labelled region of the screen display. In this instance, three smart cards at $5.00 a card have been selected by operating keypad button  46   b  to result in a grand total of $25.00 in purchases. The next screen to be shown on the display  20  prompts the user to select the method of payment for the $25.00 purchase. The user will then operate one of the keypads to select by cash, credit, withdrawal from account or smart card as a payment mode, as shown in  FIG. 21C .  
         [0164]     In this instance, the operator has decided to pay with cash and has punched the arrow key  26   a  on the keypad  26 . The screen shown in  FIG. 21D  will then be provided on the display  20  requesting the insertion of the cash into the cash acceptor slot  60 . The cash is then verified as counted,  FIG. 21E  shows that the user has inserted only $20.00, which has been accepted by the cash acceptor  64  and counted. The screen will then show to the user in  FIG. 21F  that the payment of $21.00 is insufficient for the total transaction of $25.00. If the user only inserts another $3.00, the transaction screen will show that the payment is still $1.00 short, as shown in  FIG. 21G  wherein the transaction is $25.00. If another dollar bill is inserted into the machine, then the user will see the screen shown in  FIG. 21H , which will inform the user to take his merchandise with him. Dispensing of the merchandise occurs as shown in the flow chart of  FIG. 21A , and the machine control operates the receipt printer  50  to print a receipt for the user which will be dispensed at the dispensing receipt slot  52 .  
         [0165]     In order to make a purchase, the purchase process is entered in a step  770 . The item to be purchased, such as smart card balance, telephone calling card, stamps or lottery tickets are selected in a step  772 , or if desired, the transaction can be cancelled, causing control to be transferred to another transaction test step  774 . Assuming that an item is chosen to purchased such as a lottery ticket, the quantity of the item is prompted for in a step  776  and entered, and a test is made in a step  778  as to whether another purchase is to be made. If it is, control is transferred back to step  772 . If not, in a step  780  the method of payment is selected, causing a cash payment screen to be displayed in a step  782  or a credit card screen to be displayed in a step  784 , or a smart card payment screen to be displayed in a step  786  or a withdrawal screen to be displayed in a step  778 , following which the funds are accepted and the merchandise, such as the lottery ticket, is dispensed, in a step  790 . The receipt is printed in the step  792  and another transaction is tested for in step  774 . If another transaction is desired, the service options display screen is displayed in step  794 . If it is not, a test is made to determine if the card is in the card reader in a step  796 . The card is ejected in step  798  and the welcome screen is displayed in step  800 .  
         [0166]     As above described herein, it is preferred not to have any coins or coin changers in the machine; and to provide $5.00 bills as the lowest denomination bills that will be paid out in change. Usually, the cash payment process will follow the flow chart shown in  FIG. 22 .  
         [0167]     In order to effect a cash payment for one of the transactions such as the purchase of lottery tickets, transfer of a balance into the smart card or into a checking account or the like, the process is entered in a step  810  and the cash acceptor is initialized in a step  812 . The currency is accepted in a step  814  and is totaled in a step  816 . The accepted bills are stacked in the holding area in step  818  and a test is made to determine whether the total covers the transaction amount in a step  820 . If it does not, more money is accepted in a step  814 . If the transaction is covered a step is made in a step  822  to determine if change is due. If change is due, it is given in $5.00 increments with the remainder credited to the smart card in a step  824  and the transaction proceeds in a step  826 .  
         [0168]     The $5.00 and $20.00 dollar bills available for change are stacked in the four cash bins. If the payment calculation shows that cash tendered covers the transaction, and that change is due, the change will be in cash in $5.00 increments by operation of the cash dispenser. Alternatively, any remaining change of less than $5.00 will be credited to a smart card or to a bank account to avoid the necessity of storing and handling small denomination bills and coins. The option will be exercised by the user with respect to change as shown on the screen display ( FIG. 23 ). The user can insert a smart card into the card slot  14 , and the smart card writer  89   a  ( FIG. 1 ) will write the change by increasing the balance on the smart card, and then return the smart card to the user. If the user wants to deposit the change into his account, the user will operate arrow key  26   b  to cause the deposit transaction to occur over the banking network.  
         [0169]     It will be appreciated that although various aspects of the invention have been described with respect to specific embodiments, alternatives and modifications will be apparent from the present disclosure, which are within the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6