Abstract:
A media handler comprises a pick unit arranged to receive a media cassette defining a stub; a detent mounted on the pick unit and resiliently biased to protrude into a path traversed by the stub until deflected by the stub; and a latch pivotably mounted to the pick unit. The latch defines: (i) a flag portion and (ii) a recess engagable by the stub as the cassette is fully inserted into the pick unit. The latch is moveable between (i) an open position in which the detent prevents the latch from moving and (ii) a closed position in which the detent has been deflected by the stub and the recess engages with the stub. Complete insertion of the cassette causes the stub to deflect the detent out of the path, thereby allowing the latch to pivot from the open to the closed position and the recess to engage with the stub to lock the cassette in position.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to improvements in or relating to media handling. 
       BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    Media handlers transport media items in sheet form so that they can be dispensed from, and/or stored in, the media handler. Media handlers can be incorporated into self-service terminals, such as automated teller machines (ATMs). 
         [0003]    One problem with ATM media handlers (such as cash dispensers and cash recyclers) is that when a cash replenisher (that is, a person who replenishes the ATM with cash) replaces a currency cassette within the media handler, he/she may not fully insert the new currency cassette. This means that when the media handler attempts to pick banknotes from the cassette, the action of picking a banknote may push out the cassette, and cause a failed pick operation. This may also force the ATM to go out of service until a replenisher returns to insert the cassette fully. 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0004]    Accordingly, the invention generally provides methods, systems, apparatus, and software for an improved media handler including an improved latch. 
         [0005]    In addition to the Summary of Invention provided above and the subject matter disclosed below in the Detailed Description, the following paragraphs of this section are intended to provide further basis for alternative claim language for possible use during prosecution of this application, if required. If this application is granted, some aspects of the invention may relate to claims added during prosecution of this application, other aspects may relate to claims deleted during prosecution, other aspects may relate to subject matter never claimed. Furthermore, the various aspects detailed hereinafter are independent of each other, except where stated otherwise. Any claim corresponding to one aspect should not be construed as incorporating any element or feature of the other aspects unless explicitly stated in that claim. 
         [0006]    According to a first aspect there is provided a media handler comprising: 
         [0007]    a pick unit arranged to receive a media cassette defining a stub; 
         [0008]    a detent mounted on the pick unit and resiliently biased to protrude into a path traversed by the stub until deflected by the stub; 
         [0009]    a latch pivotably mounted to the pick unit and defining (i) a flag portion and (ii) a recess engagable by the stub as the cassette is fully inserted into the pick unit, the latch being moveable between (i) an open position in which the detent prevents the latch from moving and (ii) a closed position in which the detent has been deflected by the stub and the recess engages with the stub; 
         [0010]    whereby complete insertion of the cassette causes the stub to deflect the detent out of the path, thereby allowing the latch to pivot from the open to the closed position and the recess to engage with the stub to lock the cassette in position. 
         [0011]    The latch may further comprise a resilient member to bias the latch to the closed position when the detent is deflected out of the path. The resilient member may comprise a coil spring, a leaf spring, or the like. 
         [0012]    The path is preferably linear, but may be arcuate. 
         [0013]    The latch may include a body extending generally parallel to a sidewall of the pick unit. The body may be coupled to the sidewall by a pivot mounted in a pivot aperture defined by the body. The resilient member may be mounted on the pivot. 
         [0014]    The flag portion may be provided at an opposite end of the body to the recess. The flag portion may comprise a portion extending transversely to the body and protruding through the pick unit sidewall. 
         [0015]    The recess may define a vertical surface for engaging with a corresponding vertical surface on a rearward (non-inserted) end of the stub of the cassette so that, in normal operation, once the latch has engaged the cassette it cannot be moved out of the pick unit (rearwards) until the latch is disengaged. 
         [0016]    The flag portion may be arranged to block a sensor when the latch is moved to the closed position, but not to block the sensor when the latch is in the open position. The sensor may comprise an emitter radiating a beam towards a detector such that when the recess engages with the stub, the flag portion blocks the beam, either partially or completely. 
         [0017]    The media handler may include a main control board populated with control electronics to provide a first indicator to indicate when the media handler is configured correctly, and a second indicator to indicate when the media handler is incorrectly configured. 
         [0018]    The first indicator may comprise a visual indicator (for example a green LED), an audible indicator (for example, a tone), a combination of visual and audible indicators, or the like. 
         [0019]    The second indicator may comprise a visual indicator (for example a red LED), an audible indicator (for example, a buzzer), a combination of visual and audible indicators, or the like. 
         [0020]    The main control board may disable operation of the media handler until the latch is sensed in the closed position. 
         [0021]    The media handler may further comprise a pick control board (separate from the main control board) coupled to the pick unit. 
         [0022]    The latch may be composed of a transparent or translucent material, such as acrylic or clear polycarbonate. 
         [0023]    The pick control board may include a cassette indicator. The cassette indicator may be arranged to illuminate the flag portion when the latch is in the closed position. The pick control board may include a plurality of cassette indicators, for example, a green cassette indicator and a red cassette indicator, such that when the latch is in the open position the red indicator illuminates the flag portion; whereas, when the latch is in the closed position the green indicator illuminates the flag portion. 
         [0024]    The latch may be configured as a light pipe to propagate light from the cassette indicator to a front portion of the latch so that a replenisher can ascertain that the latch is in the closed position by observing the light emitted by the cassette indicator and propagating through the latch. The cassette indicator may emit green light. 
         [0025]    The latch may be configured as a light pipe by the shape of the latch and/or by including a surface finish to facilitate total internal reflection within the latch, thereby allowing the indicator to propagate a light beam within the latch and illuminate the latch. The surface finish may include abrasion to provide a rough surface, or the surface finish may include a thin layer of high refractive index material. Suitable surface finish materials include polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and triacetyl cellulose (TAC). Although a relatively high degree of total internal reflection is desirable (to ensure that the entire latch is illuminated), sufficient light must escape so that the illumination is visible. The flag portion may not include a surface finish to ensure that light can be propagated into the latch. 
         [0026]    The media handler may comprise a cash dispenser, a cash recycler, a cash depository, or the like. 
         [0027]    The media handler may comprise a plurality of pick units, each having its own pick control board. 
         [0028]    By configuring the latch as a light pipe, and by providing illumination of the latch when it is fully inserted, a replenisher can easily ascertain if the cassette being inserted has been inserted fully without having to look at a secondary display (such as a service engineer panel). Furthermore, where multiple cassettes are inserted into a media handler, the replenisher can easily ascertain which of the inserted cassettes has not been inserted correctly by looking for a latch that is not illuminated, or not illuminated with the correct colour. 
         [0029]    This aspect has the advantage that the action of inserting a cassette into a media handler releases the latch that engages with the cassette, and movement of the latch causes a flag portion to be detected by a sensor that confirms that the latch is in the correct position for dispensing media therefrom or inserting media therein. 
         [0030]    According to a second aspect there is provided a self-service terminal including the media handler of the first aspect. 
         [0031]    According to a third aspect there is provided a method of receiving a media cassette into a media handler, the method comprising: 
         [0032]    receiving a media cassette defining a stub; 
         [0033]    releasing a latch when the stub deflects a detent protruding into a path of the stub 
         [0034]    urging the latch into a closed position in which a recess in the latch engages with the stub to lock the cassette in position when the stub deflects the detent; and 
         [0035]    detecting a flag portion on the latch when the latch moves into the closed position. 
         [0036]    The method may comprise the further step of illuminating the flag portion on the latch when the latch moves into the closed position. 
         [0037]    These and other aspects will be apparent from the following specific description, given by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0038]      FIG. 1  is a front pictorial view of a media handler according to one embodiment of the present invention located within a safe of a self-service terminal; 
           [0039]      FIG. 2  is a simplified pictorial view from within a portion (one of the pick units) of the media handler of  FIG. 1  showing a part (the latch) in more detail; 
           [0040]      FIG. 3  is a simplified pictorial view from outside the pick unit of  FIG. 2 , with a cassette partially inserted therein and showing the latch in an open position; 
           [0041]      FIG. 4  is a simplified pictorial view from outside the pick unit of  FIG. 2 , with a cassette completely inserted therein and showing the latch in a closed position; 
           [0042]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged pictorial view showing part of the latch and a cassette stub, when the latch is in the open position of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0043]      FIG. 6  is an enlarged pictorial view showing part of the latch and a cassette stub, when the latch is in the closed position of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0044]      FIG. 7  is a simplified schematic diagram showing two interacting parts (the pick unit control board and the flag portion of the latch) of the media handler of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0045]      FIG. 8  is a flowchart illustrating steps involved in the media handler of  FIG. 1  ascertaining if currency cassettes are correctly inserted therein; 
           [0046]      FIG. 9  is a block diagram of a self-service terminal incorporating the media handler of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0047]      FIG. 10  is a simplified pictorial view of a latch according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0048]      FIG. 11  is a simplified schematic diagram showing two interacting parts (a pick unit control board and a flag portion of the latch) used in the second embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0049]    Reference is first made to  FIG. 1 , which is a front pictorial view of a media handler  10 , in the form of a cash dispenser, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0050]    The cash dispenser  10  is mounted on a telescopic rail mechanism  12  within a safe  14 . The telescopic rail mechanism  12  allows the cash dispenser  10  to be pulled out (referred to as racked out) for replenishment or servicing, and pushed back in (racked in) to engage with a dispenser slot (not shown) in an ATM fascia (not shown) for normal operation. In operational mode the cash dispenser  10  is racked in; whereas, in maintenance mode, the cash dispenser  10  is racked out. 
         [0051]    The telescopic rail mechanism  12  latches shut when the cash dispenser  10  is fully racked in, and is released by a user (who may be a replenishment person or a maintenance person) pushing a release lever  16  sideways, thereby allowing the user to rack out the cash dispenser  10  by pulling on a handle  18 . 
         [0052]    The cash dispenser  10  is a four-high dispenser comprising four identical pick units  20   a,b,c,d  that are vertically coupled together, and a purge bin  22  on top of the pick units  20 . Each pick unit  20  receives and houses a currency cassette  24  from which the pick unit  20  picks individual banknotes. 
         [0053]    Each currency cassette  24   a,b,c,d  is individually removable from the cash dispenser  10  by depressing a release latch  26  on the respective pick unit  28 . The purge bin  22  is also individually removable by depressing a latch  28 . The currency cassette  24  or purge bin  22  can then be removed using a cassette handle  30  or the purge bin handle  32  (which are removal handles). 
         [0054]    A main control board  40  is provided at the top of the cash dispenser  10  for controlling the operation of the cash dispenser  10  and for communicating with a central controller (not shown) within the ATM (not shown). 
         [0055]    Each pick unit  20  also has a pick unit control board  42  for controlling the operation of that pick unit  20 , and a pair of sidewalls  50 . 
         [0056]    Reference will now also be made to  FIGS. 2 to 4 .  FIG. 2  is a simplified pictorial view from within one of the pick units  20  showing the release latch  26  in more detail.  FIGS. 3 and 4  are simplified pictorial views from outside the pick unit  20  showing the release latch  26  in an open and closed position, respectively. 
         [0057]    Internal faces of the sidewall  50  are labelled  50   a  ( FIG. 2 ) and external faces of the sidewall  50  are labelled  50   b  ( FIG. 3 ). 
         [0058]    The release latch  26  is coupled to the sidewall  50  of the pick unit  20  by a pivot (in the form of a stud)  52  mounted in a pivot aperture (not shown) in the latch  26 . The pivot  52  allows the release latch  26  to move in the direction shown by double arrows  54 . 
         [0059]    A resilient member  56 , in the form of a coil spring, is located around the pivot  52  to urge the release latch  26  downwards. 
         [0060]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the release latch  26  is mounted to the internal face  50   a  of the sidewall  50 . 
         [0061]    The latch  26  is formed as a single piece of moulded polycarbonate and comprises: a generally planar body portion  66 , a release tab  68  extending transversely from one end of the body portion  66 , a flag portion  70  extending transversely from the opposite end of the body portion  66 , and a recess  72  approximately mid-way between the release tab  68  and the flag portion  70 . 
         [0062]    The body portion  66  is mounted parallel to, and on the inner face  50   a  of, the sidewall  50 . The release tab  68  is substantially perpendicular to the body portion  66  and extends beyond the outer face  50   b  ( FIG. 3 ) of the sidewall  50 . The flag portion  70  is also substantially perpendicular to the body portion  66  and extends beyond the outer face  50   b  ( FIG. 3 ) of the sidewall  50 . The release tab  68  is accessible from, and proximal to, the rear of the cash dispenser  10  (the end from which the cassette handles  30  are accessible); whereas, the flag portion  70  is nearer to the front of the cash dispenser  10 . 
         [0063]      FIGS. 3 and 4  illustrate a currency cassette  80  inserted (partially in  FIG. 3  and completely in  FIG. 4 ) into the cash dispenser  10 . 
         [0064]    The currency cassette  80  defines a stub  82  extending transversely from a sidewall  80   a  of the currency cassette  80 . As the currency cassette  80  is inserted and removed from the cash dispenser  10 , the stub  82  traverses a path (indicated by double headed arrow  84 ), which will be referred to herein as the stub path  84 . 
         [0065]    A detent  90  is mounted to the inner face  50   a  of the sidewall  50 . The detent  90  comprises a sheet metal clip having a corrugation  92  extending into the stub path  84 , and a plate portion  94  on which the release latch body portion  66  rests. The detent  90  is inherently resilient because it is made from sheet metal, so it can be deflected by the stub  82  as the currency cassette  80  is fully inserted into the pick unit  20 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . When the detent  90  is deflected by the stub  82 , the plate portion  94  ceases to prevent the release latch body portion  66  from being urged downwards by the coil spring  56 . Thus, when the currency cassette  80  is completely inserted into the pick unit  20 , the stub  82  deflects the detent  90 , which allows the coil spring  56  to urge the release latch  26  from the open position ( FIG. 3 ) to the closed position ( FIG. 4 ). 
         [0066]    In the closed position, the recess  72  of the release latch  26  engages with the stub  82 . 
         [0067]    Reference will now also be made to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , which are enlarged pictorial views of a part of the latch body portion  66  and the stub  82 , showing features thereof in more detail. 
         [0068]      FIG. 5  shows the relative positions of the body portion  66  and stub  82  when the latch is in the open position. The recess  72  defines a straight edge  102  that is oriented vertically when the latch  26  is in the closed position. Similarly, the stub  82  defines a complementary straight edge  104  that is oriented vertically. When the latch  26  moves to the closed position, the two vertically aligned edges  102 , 104  ensure that the currency cassette  80  is locked in the cash dispenser  10 , and cannot be removed (intentionally or accidentally) until the release tab  68  is lifted. 
         [0069]    Reference will now also be made to  FIG. 7 , which is a simplified schematic diagram of the pick unit control board  42  and the flag portion  70 . As illustrated by double headed arrow  110 , the flag portion  70  moves from a first position (illustrated by broken lines) when the latch  26  is in the open position, to a second position (illustrated by solid lines) when the latch  26  is in the closed position. 
         [0070]    The pick unit control board  42  comprises: an infra-red (IR) beam emitter  120 ; an IR beam detector  122  disposed opposite and aligned with the IR beam emitter  120 ; a controller  124  for controlling the entire operation of the pick unit  20 , including sensing the presence or absence of the flag portion  70  from between the IR emitter  120  and detector  122 ; and a communications circuit  126  coupled to the controller  124 . 
         [0071]    The pick unit control board  42  comprises further circuitry (not shown) linked to the controller  124  for performing pick operations and the like, but these operations are well known so will not be described herein. 
         [0072]    The communications circuit  126  communicates data to the main control board  40 , including whether the flag portion  70  is currently in the second position (indicative of the latch  26  being in the closed position) or not. 
         [0073]    Reference will now also be made to  FIG. 8 , which is a flowchart  200  illustrating steps performed by the main control board  40  in ascertaining which pick units  20 , if any, should be activated for normal operational service. This process  200  is performed for each pick unit  20 . This process  200  is implemented whenever the cash dispenser  10  is returned to normal operating mode from supervisor mode (which occurs immediately after a replenishment operation is performed). 
         [0074]    It should be appreciated that this process involves using many conventional sensors (pick position, vacuum pressure, and the like) that are not specifically related to this invention, so they are not described in detail herein. 
         [0075]    Although not described above, the cash dispenser  10  includes sensors (not shown) for detecting magnets (not shown) within each currency cassette  80 . These magnetic detection sensors (not shown) can ascertain if a currency cassette  80  is present in the associated pick unit  20 , but are not sensitive enough to ascertain the exact position of the currency cassette  80  within the pick unit  20 , so they cannot be used to detect if the currency cassette  80  has been completely inserted or not. 
         [0076]    Initially, the main control board processor (not shown) communicates with one of the four pick unit control boards  42  (step  202 ) to ascertain the status of the conventional sensors (not shown) within that pick unit  20  (step  204 ). 
         [0077]    If the conventional sensors in a pick unit  20  are not functioning correctly then the main control board  40  will disable that pick unit  20  (step  206 ). 
         [0078]    If the conventional sensors in a pick unit  20  are functioning correctly, then the main control board  40  ascertains if there is a currency cassette  80  present in the pick unit  20  (step  208 ) by requesting the magnetic sensor status from the pick unit controller  124 . 
         [0079]    If the magnetic sensors (not shown) have not detected a currency cassette  80  within the pick unit  20  then the main control board  40  will disable that pick unit  20  (step  206 ). 
         [0080]    If the magnetic sensors (not shown) detect a currency cassette  80  within the pick unit  20 , then the main control board  40  ascertains the position of the flag portion  70  (step  210 ) by communicating with the pick unit control board processor  124 . 
         [0081]    If the flag portion  70  is not in the closed position (that is, the second position of  FIG. 7 ) (step  212 ), then the main control board  40  activates an indicator  140  ( FIG. 1 ) (step  214 ) to alert a replenisher. In this embodiment, the indicator  140  comprises a red LED that is located on the main control board  40  and is visible to a replenisher. The indicator  140  may further comprise a loudspeaker for emitting an audible sound (for example, a buzzing sound) to warn the replenisher that one or more cassettes  80  are not completely inserted into the pick units  20 . 
         [0082]    The main control board  40  will then disable that pick unit  20  (step  216 ) to ensure that it is not used in any customer transaction. 
         [0083]    If the flag portion  70  is in the closed position (that is, the second position of  FIG. 7 ) (step  212 ), then the main control board  40  enables the pick unit  20  for normal operation (step  218 ). 
         [0084]    The main control board  40  then repeats the process  200  for the remaining pick units  20 . 
         [0085]    If all pick units  20  containing currency cassettes  80  are operational, then the main control board  40  activates an indicator  142  ( FIG. 1 ) to indicate that the cash dispenser  10  is configured correctly (provided there are no other problems with the cash dispenser  10 ). 
         [0086]    Although process  200  is illustrated as a sequence of steps, if at any time a replenisher completely inserts a currency cassette  80  that was previously only partially inserted, then the main control board  40  will detect this, verify that the conventional sensors work correctly (step  204 ) and that there is a currency cassette  80  present (step  208 ), and then de-activate the indicator  140  and enable the pick unit  20  (step  218 ) for use in customer transactions. 
         [0087]    Reference will now be made to  FIG. 9 , which is a block diagram of a self-service terminal  300 , in the form of an automated teller machine (ATM), including the cash dispenser  10 . 
         [0088]    The ATM  300  comprises a plurality of modules for enabling transactions to be executed and recorded by the ATM  300 . These ATM modules include customer transaction modules and service personnel modules. The ATM modules comprise: an ATM controller  312 , a customer display  314 , a card reader/writer module  316 , an encrypting keypad module  318 , a receipt printer module  320 , the cash dispenser  10 , a journal printer module  324  for creating a record of every transaction executed by the ATM  300 , a network connection module  326  for accessing a remote authorisation system (not shown) via an IP network  328 , and an operator panel module  330  for use by a service operator such as a field engineer, a replenisher (of currency, of printer paper, or the like), or the like. 
         [0089]    Alternative Embodiment of Latch 
         [0090]    Reference will now be made to  FIG. 10 , which is a simplified pictorial view of a release latch  426  according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0091]    The release latch  426  is formed as a single piece of moulded, transparent, polycarbonate and comprises: a generally planar body portion  466 , a release tab  468  extending transversely from one end of the body portion  466 , a flag portion  470  extending transversely from the opposite end of the body portion  466 , and a recess  472  approximately mid-way between the release tab  468  and the flag portion  470 . 
         [0092]    The shape and dimensions of the release latch  426  are identical to the release latch  26 . The difference between release latch  26  and  426  is that release latch  426  includes a surface finish to facilitate total internal reflection within the latch  426 , thereby allowing the indicator to propagate a light beam within the release latch  426  and illuminate the release latch  426 . 
         [0093]    In this embodiment, the surface finish comprises abrasion to provide a rough surface on all outer surfaces except one surface  436  (the smooth surface) on the flag portion  470 . 
         [0094]    Reference will now be made to  FIG. 11 , which is a simplified schematic diagram showing a second type of pick unit control board  442  interacting with the flag portion  470  of the release latch  426 . 
         [0095]    The pick unit control board  442  shares many common parts with the pick unit control board  42 . However, the pick unit control board  442  has a cassette indicator  480 , in the form of a green LED, activated (that is, illuminated) by a modified controller  424  whenever the flag portion  470  is in the second position. 
         [0096]    The green LED  480  is directed towards the smooth surface  436  so that green light enters the release latch  426  and is propagated therethrough. Since the entire release latch  426  is illuminated, a replenisher can easily verify that the associated currency cassette  80  has been inserted completely. Thus, the cassette indicator  480  provides immediate visual confirmation to a replenisher that a currency cassette has been inserted correctly. 
         [0097]    Various modifications may be made to the above described embodiment within the scope of the invention, for example, in other embodiments, different types of indicator  140  may be used to those described above. 
         [0098]    In other embodiments, the shape of the release latch may be different to that described above. 
         [0099]    In other embodiments, a container other than a currency cassette may be used. 
         [0100]    In other embodiments using light propagated through the release latch, the surface finish may include a thin layer of high refractive index material. 
         [0101]    In other embodiments the media handler may receive media items rather than, or in addition to, dispensing media items. 
         [0102]    The steps of the methods described herein may be carried out in any suitable order, or simultaneously where appropriate. The methods described herein may be performed by software in machine readable form on a tangible storage medium or as a propagating signal. 
         [0103]    The terms “comprising”, “including”, “incorporating”, and “having” are used herein to recite an open-ended list of one or more elements or steps, not a closed list. When such terms are used, those elements or steps recited in the list are not exclusive of other elements or steps that may be added to the list. 
         [0104]    Unless otherwise indicated by the context, the terms “a” and “an” are used herein to denote at least one of the elements, integers, steps, features, operations, or components mentioned thereafter, but do not exclude additional elements, integers, steps, features, operations, or components.