Patent Abstract:
Aspects of the invention provide for an end-to-end currency handling, and servicing apparatus. The apparatus may be used in any cash-centric business or enterprise for cash register till set up and balancing, back office reconciliation, and other cash payment handling activities. Further aspects of the invention provide real-time access to cash receipts for enterprise use in making financial and planning decisions.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    Aspects of the disclosure relate to cash handling in a cash-centric environment. More specifically, aspects of the invention relate to real-time access to information regarding cash flows. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Cash flow refers to the movement of cash over a particular time period within a business or enterprise. The calculation of cash flow may be used as one measure to gauge financial health of the business. Managers in charge of cash flow management may use various tools to assist in making decisions involving cash flow. 
         [0003]    A starting point for proper cash flow management involves use of cash flow projections. Accurate cash flow projections enable business mangers to make proper decisions regarding day-to-day operations and long-term strategic decisions such as investment decisions. 
         [0004]    Good cash flow projections involve using up-to-date accurate data regarding inflows and outflows of cash over a period of time. These projections which may be in the form of cash flow statements involve estimation of operating cash flow. However, timely up-to-date data concerning operating cash flow is difficult to obtain in large retail operations. In large retail operations, accurate cash flow data may not be known until business close, as an accounting of each cash register&#39;s drawer has to be completed and reported to a corporate back office. 
         [0005]    For example, a multi-store grocery chain may have multiple cashiers at each store handling numerous customers during a business day. When each store closes or at the end of the cashier&#39;s shift, each of the cashiers may have to tally in their cash register so that a final tally may be determined each store closing. At certain time of day the result may be forwarded to a central office which may be used to calculate cash flow for the grocery chain. 
         [0006]    At particular scheduled times which may range from daily to once every few days or longer, an armored car or other means of transportation may be arranged such that cash receipts from the day or some other period of time may be picked up and transferred to a financial center or branch for deposit. Upon delivery to the financial center, cash may be deposited and may be made available for use by the business in another one to four business days. 
         [0007]    Therefore, a need exists for a method, apparatus, and system for calculating and allowing use of cash flows for a business or enterprise in real-time. The calculation of real-time cash flows may enable mangers with cash management responsibilities to make informal business decisions regarding use of cash during the same business day for the entire enterprise. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. The summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is neither intended to identify key or critical elements of the invention nor to delineate the scope of the invention. The following summary merely presents some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the description below. 
         [0009]    In one aspect of the invention, an end-to-end currency, handling and servicing apparatus is provided to any cash-centric business or enterprise. In various embodiments, the method, apparatus, and system may provide cash register till set up and balancing, back office reconciliation, and other cash payment handling activities. 
         [0010]    In an aspect of the invention, a cash recycling apparatus is utilized to receive currency deposits and recycle the deposited currency for withdrawals. In an embodiment, the cash recycling apparatus may scan each deposit for counterfeits bills. 
         [0011]    In another aspect of the invention, a currency recycling apparatus may be placed in each of a business customer&#39;s stores or locations. The currency recycling machines may be networked. In an embodiment, after each cashier shift or at other designated times, contents of a cashier&#39;s register till or drawer may be deposited into a currency recycling apparatus. In another embodiment, at shift start the currency recycling apparatus may withdraw a determined amount of cash in various denominations so as to stock a cashier&#39;s cash register till or drawer. 
         [0012]    Furthermore, in an aspect of the invention contents and data from each of the networked currency recycling machines may be analyzed to determine real-time cash positions. In an embodiment, the real-time cash positions may be used to make projections and/or decisions regarding short and long term business decisions. 
         [0013]    In yet another aspect of the invention, each of the currency recycling machines may be connected to a financial institution&#39;s network or infrastructure. In an embodiment, each deposit or withdrawal via the currency recycling machine may be credited or debited real-time to a customer&#39;s account. In another embodiment, real-time crediting and debiting of a customer&#39;s account may allow the customer to have immediate access to the customer&#39;s recent deposits and current balance for use in future transactions or for planning and forecasting. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    The present disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not limited in the accompanying figures in which like reference numerals indicate similar elements. 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  illustrates an example of a suitable operating environment in which various aspects of the disclosure may be implemented. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  illustrates a simplified diagram of a currency recycler in accordance with an aspect of the invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  illustrates various features of a currency recycler that may be used in accordance with aspects of the invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  illustrates additional features of a currency recycler used in various aspects of the invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  illustrates an interface screen that may be utilized to access information regarding the current cash position of the enterprise in accordance with an aspect of the invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  illustrates a withdrawal screen that may be used in accordance with an aspect of the invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  illustrates a user interface screen in accordance with an aspect of the invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  illustrates another user interface screen that may be used in accordance with an aspect of the invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  illustrates a report that may be generated and used in accordance with an aspect of the invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  illustrates a cash balance interface screen that may be used in accordance with an aspect of the invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 11  illustrates a report that may be generated in accordance with an aspect of the invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 12  illustrates a system configuration that may be used in accordance with an aspect of the invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 13  illustrates a method of providing immediate availability to amount deposited in accordance with an aspect of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0028]    In accordance with various aspects of the disclosure, systems and methods are illustrated for providing currency handling services and management. A financial institution such as a bank may provide immediate access and use of funds recently deposited using the currency handling apparatus, system, and method described below in various aspects of the invention. For illustrative purposes the financial instrument discussed throughout the below description is cash. However, as those skilled in the art will realize, the described aspects of the invention are not limited to just cash (paper money and coins) and but may also include other forms of liquid assets such as checks, bank notes, and money orders. 
         [0029]      FIG. 1  illustrates an example of a suitable operating environment in which various aspects of the disclosure may be implemented. Currency or cash recyclers  102 ,  104 ,  106  may be located at various locations such as locations  101 ,  103 , and  105 . The locations may represent different stores of a business enterprise. For example, locations  101 ,  103 , and  105  may represent three different grocery stores located in different geographical areas belonging to a grocery chain. Those skilled in the art will realize that additional cash recyclers may be located in same stores or in other stores belonging to the grocery chain. In addition, those skilled in the art will realize that a grocery chain is only one illustrative example of the types of locations that cash recyclers may be located. For example, cash recyclers may also be located in gas stations, post offices, department stores, and other places where cash and other financial instruments are deposited or withdrawn. 
         [0030]      FIG. 1  further illustrates that cash recyclers  102 ,  104 , and  106  may be connected to a communications network such as communications network  120 . Communications network  120  may represent: 1) a local area network (LAN); 2) a simple point-to-point network (such as direct modem-to-modem connection); and/or 3) a wide area network (WAN), including the Internet and other commercial based network services. 
         [0031]    Cash recyclers  102 ,  104 , and  106  may communicate with one another or with a financial institution such as bank  130  via communication network  120  in ways that are well known in the art. The existence of any of various well-known protocols, such as TCP/IP, Ethernet, FTP, HTTP, BLUETOOTH, Wi-Fi, ultra wide band (UWB), low power radio frequency (LPRF), radio frequency identification (RFID), infrared communication, IrDA, third-generation (3G) cellular data communications, Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), or other wireless communication networks or the like may be used as the communications protocol. Communications network  120  may be directly connected to a financial institution such as bank  130 . In another embodiment, communications network  120  may be connected to a second network or series of networks  140  such as the STAR network before being connected to bank  130 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 2  illustrates a simplified diagram of a cash recycler in accordance with an aspect of the invention. Cash recyclers may comprise memories ( 108 ,  112 , and  116 ) processors ( 210 ,  212 , and  214 ), displays ( 204 ,  206 , and  208 ), and communication interfaces ( 232 ,  234 , and  236 ). The processors  210 ,  212 , and  214  may execute computer-executable instructions present in memory  108 ,  112 ,  116  such that, for example, the cash recyclers  102 ,  104 , and  106  may send and receive information to and from bank  130  via network or networks  120  and/or  140 . Bank  130  may utilize an infrastructure which includes a server  231  having components such as memory  158 , processor  160 , display  248 , and communication interface  250 . The memory for each of the cash recyclers  102 ,  104 , and  106  and server  231  may include non-volatile and/or volatile memory. 
         [0033]      FIG. 3  illustrates various features of cash recycler  102  used in various aspects of the invention. The images in  FIG. 3  depict use of a single cash recycler  102  in a retail environment. The retail owner may have a cash recycler  102  located in each of their stores. In an aspect of the invention, summary information for the retail owner&#39;s stores may be available via an interface to the financial institution. In another embodiment, access to summary information may be available directly from each of the cash recyclers  102 . 
         [0034]    In  FIG. 3 , image  302  depicts customer  303  paying cash to store cashier  305  for a purchase. Another store cashier  307  at a recently closed cash register may be carrying a cash drawer or till  308  to a back office for reconciliation. In image  310 , store cashier  307  may load currency from cash register till  308  into cash recycler  102 . In addition, store cashier  107  may also deposit other paper forms of payment received from customer such as checks. An office manager  311  may be supervising cashier  307  during the loading of cash register till  308  into cash recycler  102 . Moreover, upon the start of a shift a cashier may fill his/her cash register till with a designated amount of currency dispensed from cash recycler  102 . 
         [0035]    In image  306  of  FIG. 3 , a display screen  204  of cash recycler  102  may show the total amount entered into cash recycler  102  from till  308 . The display screen  204  may breakout the amount entered into cash recycler  102  by denomination and by each cashier. The total amount deposited and withdrawn from cash recycler  102  may be shown on display screen  204 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 4  illustrates additional features of cash recycler  102  used in various aspects of the invention. In image  402  of  FIG. 4 , an armored car driver  403  may be delivering or picking up currency cylinders  405  from cash recycler  102 . The currency cylinders may contain a predetermined amount of currency in various denominations to be used by cash recycler  102 . As cash recycler  102  reuses currency that has been deposited via cashiers and/or other supervisory personnel for withdrawals, the frequency of armored car drop-offs of currency may be intermittent. 
         [0037]    Image  406  illustrates reports  407  that may be generated showing various data such as the amount placed into cash recycler  102  along with the corresponding currency denominations. The reports  407  may also include information which may be used to determine when an armored car pickup should be scheduled. 
         [0038]    The information stored in cash recycler  102  may be transmitted via network  120  to a financial institution for use in crediting or debiting various customer accounts. The retail customer may have access to the information through the financial institution&#39;s network. For example, image  408  depicts an enterprise employee accessing summary information concerning the businesses cash position as reported by the cash recyclers. The cash position of the enterprise may provide information to the enterprise employee directly via the interface or indirectly via another system authorize short term borrowing or investing, pay down credits lines, or request additional credit. Furthermore, the information may enable the enterprise employee to forecast future cash surpluses and shortages and/or perform other actives involving financial risk management. 
         [0039]      FIG. 5  illustrates an interface screen that an enterprise employee may utilize to access information regarding the current cash position of the enterprise in accordance with an aspect of the invention. In  FIG. 5  an interface screen  502  may be used to request that a user enter a name  504  and password  506  to verify authorization to use the system. After access authorization has been granted the user is given access to the system. 
         [0040]    In an aspect of the invention, the user may decide to make a withdrawal to fill a cash register till. In  FIG. 6 , a withdrawal screen  602  may be presented to the user in accordance with an aspect of the invention. The user, through a series of dropdown boxes, may request that a certain total amount be withdrawn from the cash recycler in requested denominations. For example in screen  602 , the user has requested that a total of $1,000 U.S. dollars  616  be withdrawn from cash recycler  102 . The user has further requested that the cash recycler  102  dispense the $1,000 dollars in the form of eight $100 dollar bills ( 604 ), three $50 dollar bills ( 606 ), one $20 dollar bill ( 608 ), two $10 dollar bills ( 610 ) and two $5 dollar bills ( 612 ). Upon entry of the appropriate amount the user may select button  618  or shortcut key F1 to initiate the withdrawal. After the currency has been dispensed by the cash recycler  102 , the cash recycler  102  may communicate with the financial institution or bank  130  to debit the appropriate enterprise accounts. 
         [0041]    As shown in withdrawal screen  602  additional buttons or short cut keys corresponding to different functions may be displayed to the user. For example, the buttons may include a “Deposit” button  620 , a “Change” button  622 , a “Count”  624 , a “Totals” button  626 , a “Start Day” button  628 , an “End of Day” button  630 , an “ATS Counters” button  632 , an “ATS Status” button  634 , an “ATS Reset” button  636 , and a “Log off” button  638 . 
         [0042]    When the currency has been dispensed from the cash recycler  102 , a displayed receipt may be shown to the user. For example,  FIG. 7  illustrates a user screen  702  listing details in the form of receipt  704  for viewing by the user in accordance with an aspect of the invention. The user may request that the displayed receipt be printed  706 . 
         [0043]    In another aspect of the invention, the user may deposit a cash register till into cash recycler  102 . The user may first count the currency and enter the amount into the cash recycler  102 . The cash recycler may tally the currency as it is being deposited and also check for potential counterfeit currency. After entry of the contents of the till into the cash recycler  102 , the amount entered by the user may be compared to the amount counted by cash recycler  102 . If the amounts are equal, the cash recycler  102  may communicate with the financial institution or bank  130  to credit the appropriate enterprise accounts. If a discrepancy exists, the user may be prompted to verify their count or a supervisor may be requested to intervene. Upon resolution, the cash recycler  102  may communicate with the financial institution or bank  130  to credit the appropriate enterprise account. 
         [0044]      FIG. 8  illustrates a user screen  802  listing details for viewing by the user in accordance with an aspect of the invention. For example, user screen  802  may provide details of the transaction  804  along with detailed source amount information  806  and a breakdown of the currency denominations  808 . 
         [0045]    In another aspect of the invention, the currency recycler  102  may also provide an inventory report  904  of the currency denominations  906  available to be dispensed upon request as illustrated in  FIG. 9 . The information may also include other types of currency currently available to be dispensed by cash recycler  102  such as foreign currency. 
         [0046]      FIG. 10  illustrates an interface screen, which may be used by an enterprise user to review cash balances at each of their stores or locations in accordance with an aspect of the invention. As shown in image  1002 , the user may tab to a treasury screen  1003 . The treasury screen  1003  may include a link to access online statements and reports  1004 , global information reporting  1006  and continuous linked statements  1008 . The user may have the ability to select a particular account service  1010 , make an account transfer  1012 , initialize information reporting  1014 , and/or initialize a transaction investigation  1016 . 
         [0047]    In another aspect of the invention, standard reports  1018  may be available for review by the user. Additional detailed information may also be available by selecting different tabs such as a “Payments” tab  1020 , a “Receipts” tab  1024 , a “Trade” tab  1026 , and a “Notification” tab  1028 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 11  illustrates a report that may be generated in accordance with an aspect of the invention. In  FIG. 11 , a report is illustrated in image  1102 . For example, the report may be for a grocery chain called “Innovative Groceries”  1104 . The report may provide the user with the current day cash position for the grocery chain. For example, image  1102  illustrates a report which shows information  1108  and  1110  relating to cash positions at two stores  1109  and  1111 . A total cash position for the grocery chain may also be provided along with other information at  1112 . 
         [0049]    The prompt recognition and acknowledgement of cash receipts may enable the enterprise to use the information to provide better funds management. For instance, the enterprise may decide to invest or pay down short term revolvers. Alternatively the enterprise may use the information to improve or mange cash change orders. The information may also be used in estimating and predicting future needs for lines of credit or in estimating future cash surpluses and/or shortages. 
         [0050]      FIG. 12  illustrates a system configuration that may be used in accordance with an aspect of the invention. In  FIG. 12  a cash recycler  1202  may communicate information to cash recycler service  1204  located at a remote location. For example, cash recycler  1202  may communicate deposit and withdrawal information from an enterprise location to the remote cash recycler service  1204 . The information may be routed through various networks such as the Internet to reach the cash recycler service. The cash recycler service  1204  may be located in the data center of a financial institution. The cash recycler service  1204  may communicate with an integration system  1206  which provides access to the financial systems and processes. The integration system  1206  may communicate with a memo posting system  1208  which may perform posting activity. The posting system  1208  may update the appropriate DDA (direct deposit account) system  1210  to reflect the balance changes in the enterprises account balances. The DDA system  1210  may also update a transaction repository  1212  for historical and intra-day reporting purposes. An enterprise employee may access information stored in the transaction repository  1212  through a client access channel  1214  via web browser. Those skilled in the art will realize that the financial institution may allow the enterprise user to access the information stored in the transaction repository via numerous alternative communication methods. 
         [0051]      FIG. 13  illustrates a method of providing immediate credit to amount deposited in accordance with an aspect of the invention. In step  1302 , an enterprise employee may deposit a first amount of currency in a cash recycler. The cash recycler may accept different forms of currency including bills, coins, and checks. The cash recycler in step  1304  may determine the amount of currency deposited by the enterprise employee. The cash recycler may query the enterprise employee to acknowledge the determined amount of currency to be deposited before proceeding. In step  1306 , the cash recycler may transmit information relating to the amount of currency deposited to a financial institution. The financial institution upon receipt of the transmitted information may access the account of the enterprise and update the balance by the amount of the deposit. The financial institution may transmit an acknowledgement that the enterprise account has been updated. In step  1308 , the cash recycler may receive an acknowledgement of the deposit. In step  1310 , the enterprise may have immediate availability to the amount deposited to the account. 
         [0052]    Although not required, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that various aspects described herein may be embodied as a method, a data processing system, or as a computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions. Accordingly, those aspects may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. In addition, various signals representing data or events as described herein may be transferred between a source and a destination in the form of electromagnetic waves traveling through signal-conducting media such as metal wires, optical fibers, and/or wireless transmission media (e.g., air and/or space). 
         [0053]    Aspects of the invention have been described in terms of illustrative embodiments thereof. Numerous other embodiments, modifications and variations within the scope and spirit of the appended claims will occur to persons of ordinary skill in the art from a review of this disclosure. For example, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the steps illustrated in the illustrative figures may be performed in other than the recited order, and that one or more steps illustrated may be optional in accordance with aspects of the disclosure.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6