Abstract:
A media escrow unit ( 24 ) is provided for use in dispensing or depositing media. The escrow unit ( 24 ) is arranged in use with a media removal path ( 42 ) leading from a media receptacle ( 32 ), and communicating with a media return path ( 44 ) leading to the media receptacle. In use, media may be removed from the receptacle ( 32 ) and passed through media validation sensors ( 20, 22 ) before being returned to the receptacle ( 32 ). The media may then either be presented from the escrow unit ( 24 ) to a user, or passed via the media removal path ( 42 ) to a media storage location, depending on the outputs obtained from the media validation sensors ( 20, 22 ), and the actions of the user. Also provided is a self-service terminal incorporating such an escrow unit; and methods of dispensing or depositing media.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a self-service terminal (SST) such as an automated teller machine (ATM), and to a method of operating an SST. In particular, embodiments of the invention relate to an ATM in which deposited or dispensed media may be held in escrow while the media is validated. 
     Self-service terminals (SST) are commonly used for conducting a range of financial transactions. Chief among these is the dispensing of banknotes or other media. A number of SSTs also have the facility to accept deposits of media. However, before a media deposit can be accepted by an SST, the media is preferably first validated, to ensure that the media deposited is genuine, and is in an acceptable format; if the media fails validation, it may be returned to the user. Further, if a user cancels a deposit transaction part-way through, any media deposited should also be returned to the user. 
     Ideally, any returned media should be the same media as was deposited; particularly if there is a validation failure. The preferred mechanism of accommodating this is to provide SSTs with an escrow facility: deposited media is held in escrow pending validation or confirmation of the transaction; only once it has been confirmed that the deposit is to be accepted will the media leave the escrow unit for the media deposit safe. Escrow units may also be applied to media dispensing: a bundle of banknotes to be dispensed may be held in escrow pending confirmation of the transaction and validation of the dispensed currency; if the transaction is not to proceed, the notes may be transferred from the escrow unit to a reject note bin. 
     Common methods of providing escrowing include stacker wheel re-bunching and roll escrows. However, both of these occupy a relatively large amount of space, and roll escrows can be expensive. It is also necessary to provide separate transport for the media between the user interface and the escrow unit, so further increasing the space requirements and cost of such escrows. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is among the objects of embodiments of the present invention to obviate or alleviate these and other disadvantages of existing escrow systems. This is achieved, in part, by providing a compact escrow unit which may be fitted in the path of the normal media deposit/dispense route, so eliminating the need for a separate escrow transport mechanism. 
     According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of depositing media, the method comprising the steps of: 
     receiving media to be deposited in a media receptacle; 
     removing the media from the receptacle; 
     returning the media to the media receptacle via a media validation pathway; 
     determining whether the deposited media is to be accepted; and 
     transferring accepted media from the media receptacle to accepted media storage. 
     The present invention thus provides a method which provides for receipt of a deposit in a media receptacle, and then validated and returned to the same receptacle pending acceptance; the receptacle can thus act as its own escrow unit so obviating the requirement to provide additional space for a separate escrow unit. 
     Preferably the media is received through a media deposit port of a self-service terminal (SST). 
     The step of removing the media from the receptacle may comprise the step of transferring individual media items directly from the receptacle to the media validation pathway. Preferably, however, the method comprises the separate steps of removing the media from the receptacle; and then transferring individual media items to the media validation pathway. Preferably the media items are transferred by being picked individually onto the validation pathway. Suitable friction and vacuum pick mechanisms are known in the art. Conveniently, where a pick mechanism is employed, the media is biased against the pick mechanism; more preferably, the receptacle is arranged to bias the media against the pick mechanism. 
     Preferably the step of returning the media to the media receptacle via a media validation pathway comprises the step of validating the media. Conveniently this is achieved by passing the media by or through means for validating media, which may be disposed in the validation pathway. The media validation means may comprise a note thickness sensor (NTS), to determine whether single or multiple notes have been picked. The validation means may additionally or alternatively comprise means for identifying media, to identify the denomination or value of deposited media; and/or means for detecting media forgery, to determine whether or not genuine media have been deposited. Such media validation means are known in the art. 
     The step of determining whether the deposited media is to be accepted may comprise the steps of identifying any media failing validation, and not accepting a deposit containing failed media. The acceptance determination step may alternatively or in addition comprise the step of requesting a user to confirm the deposit. For example, the user may be informed of the value of the deposit as determined by the means for validating media, and asked to confirm this value; if the user disagrees with the validation, they may cancel the transaction at this stage. 
     The step of transferring accepted media to accepted media storage preferably comprises the step of moving the media along at least part of the media validation pathway. It is preferred that the route to the media storage branches off the route of the media validation pathway; thus, space and expense is reduced by having a unitary media pathway over much of the length of both the media validation and media storage routes. The common part of the route may include some or all of the means for validating media, to reconfirm the acceptability of the media. The transfer step may therefore further comprise the step of validating the media. 
     The method may further comprise the step of transferring accepted media to one of a plurality of different accepted media storage locations. For example, banknotes of different denominations may be transferred to different media storage locations. This is particularly preferred if deposited media may be re-issued from the SST during a later transaction. If this is the case, then it is preferred that the media is revalidated before entering media storage; alternatively, the sequence of denominations of deposited media may be recorded from the initial pass through the validation pathway, and the media sorted appropriately. 
     The method may further comprise the step of returning non-accepted media to a user. Preferably the media is returned through a media return port of an SST. Most conveniently, the media return port also serves as the media deposit port. Alternatively, non-accepted media may be transferred to a rejected media storage location. 
     According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of dispensing media, the method comprising the steps of: 
     picking media to be dispensed from one or more media storage locations; 
     passing the media via a media validation pathway to a media receptacle; 
     determining whether the media is to be dispensed; and 
     presenting dispensed media directly from the receptacle to a user. 
     Preferably the method further comprises the step of: if the media is not to be dispensed, transferring the media from the media receptacle to a rejected media storage location. 
     Preferably the transfer step comprises the step of moving the media along at least part of the media validation pathway. 
     According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a media escrow unit, the unit comprising: 
     a media receptacle for receiving media; 
     a media removal path, leading from the media receptacle; 
     a media return path, leading to the media receptacle; and 
     means for transferring media from the receptacle to the removal path; 
     in use, the media removal path being in communication with the media return path. 
     The escrow unit of the present invention may be used in implementing the other aspects of the present invention, as will be described. 
     Conveniently, the media transfer means may comprise a media picker, such as a vacuum pick or a friction pick unit; or the transfer means may comprise means for removing media from the receptacle to a first location, and means for transferring media from the first location to the media removal path. 
     Preferably the unit further comprises means for biasing media against the media transfer means. Conveniently the media receptacle may be adapted to bias media against the media transfer means. Preferably the receptacle is movable, to selectively bias media against the media transfer means. Alternatively, the biasing means may comprise a spring-urged plate or the like, arranged to urge media against the transfer means. 
     Conveniently the receptacle is movable to a position to allow receipt or presentation of media. Alternatively, the unit may comprise means for allowing receipt or presentation of media to or from the receptacle; for example, rollers, guides or conveyors. 
     According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a self-service terminal (SST), the SST comprising: 
     a media escrow unit comprising a media receptacle for receiving media; a media removal path, leading from the media receptacle; a media return path, leading to the media receptacle; and a media picker for transferring media from the receptacle to the removal path; 
     means for validating media; and 
     accepted media storage; 
     the media removal path selectively communicating with both the media return path and the accepted media storage such that a first media flow path lies along the media removal path, through the means for validating media, to the media return path, and a second media flow path lies along the media removal path to the accepted media storage. 
     Preferably the SST further comprises one or more media dispense units for dispensing media, with a media flow path leading from the dispense unit or units, passing through the means for validating media, to the media return path. 
     Conveniently the accepted media storage further comprises means for dispensing stored media to a media flow path, the flow path leading to the media return path. 
     Preferably the SST further comprises rejected media storage. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     These and other aspects of embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a self-service terminal (SST) including a media escrow unit, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIGS. 2 a - 2   f  show an escrow unit as used in the SST of FIG. 1 in the process of receiving a media deposit; and 
     FIGS. 3 a - 3   f  show the escrow unit of FIGS. 2 a - 2   f  in the process of dispensing media. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring first of all to FIG. 1, this shows a schematic diagram of a self-service terminal (SST) in the form of an automated teller machine (ATM), which includes an escrow unit, and provides a media recycling facility—that is, deposited media may subsequently re-dispensed to a user; this is a very useful facility, as it tends to increase the average time between replenishments of the ATM. 
     The ATM  10  presents a number of modules to a user, the majority of which are not shown here; for example, a smart card reader, a display screen, a numeric keypad, and the like. A media entry/exit slot  12  is shown, through which a user may deposit or withdraw banknotes. 
     Within the body of the ATM  10  are included a number (in this case, three) of currency dispense cassettes  14 , each of which is stocked with a number of banknotes of a particular denomination. Also shown in the figure are three accepted media storage bins  16 , for containing deposited banknotes of different denominations, and a single rejected media storage bin  18 , for containing rejected media deposits and dispenses. 
     The ATM  10  further includes two note thickness sensors  20 , a media validation/identification module  22 , and an escrow unit  24  disposed adjacent the media entry/exit slot  12 . 
     A series of arrows and lines within the ATM  10  identified by the letters A to E indicate possible flow paths for media such as banknotes to follow. 
     The broad operation of the ATM  10  will now be described. 
     When a user wishes to deposit banknotes into the ATM  10 , they insert a bundle of notes through the media entry/exit slot  12  into the escrow unit  24 . The notes are stripped from the escrow unit by a bill picker, and fed singly into the media flow path at portion A. Passing into portion B, the notes pass through the note thickness sensor  20  and validation/identification module  22 , which together determine whether the notes are single or multiple, and the denomination and validity of the notes. Passing along sections C and D of the flow path, the notes return to the escrow unit  24 . Thus, the deposited notes have now been verified and validated, and are in the original deposit location. 
     The ATM  10  then asks the user to confirm their deposit: it may also indicate the value of the deposit as calculated by the validation/identification module  22 . If the user wishes to cancel the deposit, or if the ATM  10  found invalid notes amongst the deposit, the notes will be returned to the user through the media entry/exit slot  12 . In this way the user receives the same notes as they deposited. If the deposit is confirmed, the bill picker again passes the notes singly along paths A and B, where the note thickness is again checked by detector  20 , and the notes once more identified by identification module  22 . The notes are then passed along the appropriate branch of path C, into the correct accepted media storage bin  16 . 
     When a user wishes to withdraw banknotes from the SST, the procedure is somewhat similar. The required quantity of notes are removed from the appropriate currency cassettes  14 , along path E, where they join the main note path at B. The note thickness sensor  20  confirms that the notes have been removed singly from the cassettes  14 , and the notes are passed along path C. If the ATM  10  is recycling deposited notes, some notes may be removed from the two uppermost storage bins  16  to join the media flow, by a conventional note pick arrangement; in this case the notes are again checked for thickness by the second note thickness sensor  20 , before passing along path D to the escrow unit  24 . The ATM  10  will, in practice, monitor the number of notes held in each storage bin  16 , so that the need to dispense fresh notes rather than recycled notes can be anticipated. 
     If the notes have been determined as correct by the thickness sensors  20 , the bundle of notes may be presented to the user through slot  12  for dispensing; if however there is a problem with the notes, the whole contents of the escrow unit  24  can be fed along paths A, B and C of the media transport path, and dumped into reject bin  18 , for later verification by a human operator. The ATM  10  will then attempt to dispense a fresh set of banknotes to the user. 
     The operation of the escrow unit  24  as used with the ATM of FIG. 1 will now be described. Note that in FIGS. 2 a - 2   f  and  3   a - 3   f , for convenience the escrow unit has been shown in a horizontal orientation, rather than the angled orientation illustrated in FIG.  1 . 
     FIGS. 2 a - 2   f  show the sequence of operation of such an escrow unit when accepting a media deposit. Referring first of all to FIG. 2 a , in this can be seen a media receptacle  32 , containing a bundle of banknotes  34  which has been deposited through media entry slot  12 . A shutter  38  has opened to allow a user access to the receptacle  32 . A friction pick mechanism  40  is located at the underside of the escrow unit, leading to a media removal path  42 ; a media return path  44  leads back into the escrow unit. The media removal and return paths  42 ,  44  are in communication as described above with reference to FIG.  1 . The escrow unit also provides four distinct positions in which the receptacle  32  may be located, denoted by the letters W to Z, being, in general terms, in forward, central, rear and top positions. However, it will be clear to those of skill in the art that the invention may be implemented moving only the banknotes, and not the receptacle. 
     The note stripper  46  is removed, and the receptacle  32  moved from rear position Y to the top position Z, where the receptacle  32  bears down upon the bundle of banknotes  34 , biasing the note bundle  34  against the note picker  40  (FIG. 2 c ). 
     The notes are then picked from the bundle  34  one at a time, and sent through the media removal path  42 , via note thickness sensors and a validation unit as described, to the media return path  44 , and back into the receptacle  32  (FIG. 2 d ). A flexible rubber flicker wheel  48  adjacent the entrance to the receptacle  32  ensures that the returning banknotes enter the receptacle  32  individually and correctly. 
     Once all the notes have returned to the receptacle  32 , the ATM will then determine, as has been described, whether or not the deposit is acceptable. If the deposit is not accepted (FIG. 2 e ), the shutter  38  opens, while the receptacle  32  containing the rejected notes  34  moves to the forward position W, so presenting the notes to the user for retrieval. However, if the notes are accepted (FIG. 2 f ), the notes are once more stripped from the receptacle  32 , the receptacle  32  moves to the top position Z, and the notes are picked by picker  40  and sent along media removal path  42  to the accepted note storage bins  16  of the ATM, as described above. 
     The method of dispensing banknotes is shown in FIGS. 3 a - 3   f . This makes use of the same escrow unit as illustrated in FIGS. 2 a - 2   f.    
     Firstly, as shown in FIG. 3 a , the receptacle  32  is located in the central position X. Banknotes  34  are picked from currency dispense cassettes in the body of the ATM, as previously described, and passed through the note thickness sensors along the media return path  44  into the receptacle  32  (FIG. 3 b ). 
     If the note thickness sensors detect no problems with the dispensed notes  34 , the shutter  38  opens and the receptacle  32  is moved into the forward position W, to present the note bundle  34  to the user for collection (FIG. 3 c ). 
     If however there is a problem with the notes, or the user does not take the presented bundle, the notes  34  are stripped from the receptacle  32 , which moves to the rear position Y (FIG. 3 d ) the receptacle  32  is then moved to the top position Z, to bias the note bundle  34  against the pick mechanism  40  (FIG. 3 e ), and the notes picked and passed along the note removal path  42  into the rejected note bin (FIG. 3 f ). 
     It can be seen that the present invention therefore provides an escrow mechanism whereby notes may be held in escrow pending verification, and either deposited, purged, dispensed, or returned to the user as appropriate, using only a single media entry/exit slot, and so providing a relatively compact mechanism.