Abstract:
An automated teller machine (ATM) includes a number of currency note holding cassettes  40 . The notes are transferred to a dispensing slot  18  via paths  46  and  48 . Mispicked notes are detected by multiple note detector  58  and diverted to reject bin  60  via diverter  56 . When cassette contents reach a low level and require replenishment, notes are transferred from cassettes  40  via paths  45  and  91  by means of diverter  93  into a secure purge bin  90 . Empty cassettes can be removed and replenished whilst the bin carrying the remaining notes is transferred for emptying by secure transportation.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to replenishment arrangements for automated teller machines (ATMs). 
     In conventional ATMs, stacks of currency notes are stored in one or more currency cassettes and on receipt of a valid cash withdrawal request from a customer, notes are extracted from the cassettes and transported to a cash dispenser slot in a user console. An ATM is generally capable of dispensing notes of several different denominations and separate cassettes are normally provided for notes of each particular denomination. 
     It is desirable that when the number of currency notes remaining within a particular cassette in the ATM reaches a predetermined critical low level, (i.e. a level which may not be sufficient to guarantee that a typical customer cash withdrawal request can be successfully fulfilled using the notes remaining in that particular cassette) indication is provided. Such an indication is typically provided by a sensor comprising a permanent magnet associated with a pusher assembly which is arranged to urge notes towards an exit end of the cassette from which they are extracted. When the pusher assembly reaches a position in the proximity of the exit end, a reed switch mounted within the ATM is activated by the permanent magnet to indicate that the number of notes within the cassette has reached a predetermined low level. The reed switch is commonly positioned so that a low level indication will be given when approximately 75 to 100 notes remain within the cassette. 
     The cassette will then typically be replaced by a new full cassette. 
     During a replenishment operation, cassettes are removed from the ATM by an operator. However, for security reasons, such cassettes are normally replaced by prepared full cassettes and are returned to a financial institution, often at a location remote from the ATM, for replenishment. Each cassette returned to the bullion center will need to be opened and emptied and the content reconciled against the ATM journal. Such multiple cassette handling is inefficient, costly and time-consuming, as all the cassettes must be emptied and their contents checked before replenishment takes place. 
     The handling of non-empty multiple currency cassettes is also undesirable due to the security risks involved, including the risk that the cassettes may be tampered with before replenishment takes place. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is concerned with providing ATM replenishment in which the above mentioned difficulties are alleviated. 
     According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automated teller machine (ATM) including a plurality of storage devices each for storing currency notes; means for dispensing notes from one or more storage device to authorized users; removable secure receptacle means for receiving currency notes; and means for automatically transferring remaining currency notes from the storage devices to the receptacle means to empty said storage devices to allow replenishment thereof. 
     Further according to the invention there is provided a method for allowing replenishment of an automated teller machine (ATM) having a plurality of storage devices each for storing currency notes the method including the steps of determining when the number of notes falls to a replacement level, and thereafter transferring remaining notes from the storage devices in an automatic sequence to removable secure receptacle means to allow the storage devices to be extracted for replenishment. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an automated teller machine (ATM) embodying the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is block diagram representation of the ATM of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic representation of the main operating parts of a cash dispenser of the ATM of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view of a purge bin storage device used in the FIG. 3 arrangement; and 
     FIG. 5 is a flow diagram representing a purging operation of the cash dispenser of FIG.  3 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As shown in FIG. 1, the front of an ATM  10  is provided with a user panel  12  including a card reader slot  14  for insertion of a user&#39;s identification card, a key pad  16 , a cash dispenser slot  18  through which bank notes are delivered to a user, a display screen  20  and a receipt printer slot  22  through which a receipt for a transaction is delivered to the user at the end of a transaction. The card reader, cash dispenser and receipt printer modules associated with the respective slots  14 ,  18  and  22  in the user panel  12  of the ATM  10 , are designated by the same reference numerals in FIG.  2 . In a typical ATM transaction, a user inserts his or her card into the card reader slot  14  and data encoded on the card is read. Instructions are then displayed on the screen  20 . The user is requested to enter a personal identification number (PIN) on the key pad  16  which is verified, usually at a central location remote from the ATM  10 . If the PIN is determined to be correct against information read from the inserted card, a menu of the various facilities available to the user is then displayed on the screen  20 . If a cash withdrawal facility is selected, the user is requested to enter the sum required on the key pad  16  or by means of additional keys  24  provided at the side of the screen  20 . 
     As shown in FIG. 2, the ATM  10  includes a controller unit  30  which communicates with components of the user panel  12 , with an operator panel  26  mounted inside the ATM (not available to a customer) and with various other operating mechanisms of the ATM  10 . The operator panel  26  includes a key pad  27 , a display screen  28  and a printer  29 . The controller unit  30  includes a processor unit  32 , and a memory unit  34  connected via a bus line  36  to the processor unit  32 . The processor unit  32  receives input signals from the card reader  14 , the user panel key pad  16  and the operator panel key pad  27 , and provides output signals to various mechanisms of the cash dispenser  18 , to the displays  20  and  28  of the user and operator panels  12  and  26 , and to the user panel receipt printer  22  and the operator panel printer  29 . It should be understood that the processor unit  32  controls the amount of cash dispensed by the cash dispenser  18 , the information displayed on the displays  20  and  28  and the information printed by the printers  22  and  29 . 
     The various mechanisms within the cash dispenser  18  controlled by the processor unit  32  include a multiple note detector  58  (see also FIG. 3) for detecting the presence of multiple superposed bank notes, vacuum operated picker devices  44  for picking notes from currency cassettes  40 , a transport mechanism  45  for transporting notes picked from one or more of the cassettes  40 , and a purge bin actuator  93  for a purge bin  90 . The processor unit  32  may include a microcomputer, and the memory unit  34  may be a non-volatile RAM. Suitable computers and memories are readily available in the marketplace. Their structure and operation are well known and therefore will not be described. 
     The main operating parts of the cash dispenser  18  embodying the invention will now be described with particular reference to FIG.  3 . Stacks of bank notes  38  are held in the cassettes  40 , the cassettes being slidably mounted in compartments  42  and each holding notes of different denominations. The picker devices  44  serve to extract notes from each cassette  40 . The transport mechanism  45  is associated with three feed paths  46 ,  48  and  91  linked by a diverter  93  and serves to transfer notes from one location to another within the ATM  10 . The diverter  93  is not normally actuated and the normal note dispensing path is from the cassettes  40  via paths  46  and  48  to the dispenser. The diverter  93  is controlled by the controller unit  30  to pivot into a second position only when it is necessary to empty partially filled cassettes into the purge bin  90 , prior to replenishment, as described below. Then path  91  is utilized. 
     Hence in normal operation, the transport mechanism  45  transfers notes picked from the cassettes  40  along a first unidirectional feed path  46 , to the second unidirectional feed path  48  for delivery to a customer. A diverter  56  is provided along the first feed path  46  to direct any mispicked notes which are detected by the multiple note detector  58  into a first reject bin  60 . 
     A stacking wheel  62  and stripper plate assembly  70  are provided at the end of the second feed path  48 , for stacking notes prior to being delivered to a customer through the cash dispenser slot  18  via a series of co-operating belts  80 ,  82 ,  84  and  86 . The stacking wheel  62  comprises a plurality of stacking plates  64 , spaced apart in parallel relationship along the shaft  66  of the stacking wheel  62 , each stacker plate  64  incorporating a series of curved tines  68  which pass between fingers  72  of the stripper plate assembly  70  rockably mounted on a shaft  74 . A reject bin  76  is provided for notes which are retracted from the cash dispenser slot  18 , in the event a customer omits to remove them therefrom at the end of a cash withdrawal transaction. 
     The arrangement described will operate as normal until a low level indication is provided concerning the notes in one or more cassettes such that the cassettes need replenishing. 
     In such circumstances an authorized operator can select the cassette purge command to cause each cassette to be emptied into the purge bin. An odometer  94  will count the notes as they travel along path  91  into the secure segregated purge bin. The number of notes will also be recorded in the journal. 
     Following emptying of the cassettes, they can be removed and on receipt by the bullion center can be immediately reloaded without requiring emptying and reconciling of each cassette. Only the purge bin requires emptying and reconciling so cutting down time and personnel requirements. The security of operation can be maximized as only the purge bin need be subjected to valuable media protection special treatment. Typically the purge bin could handle  200  notes or more within its enclosure. 
     When notes are to be transferred from the cassettes  40  to the purge bin  90 , the notes are extracted from the cassettes  40  by the picker devices  44  and are fed along the first unidirectional feed path  46  via diverter  93  to path  91  via rollers  95  as described above. Any mispicked notes detected by the detector  58  are directed to the reject bin  60  via diverter  56  in the manner described above. 
     Alternatively the detector  58  can be switched off and all notes passed to the purge bin. 
     The purge bin  90  of FIG. 3 is shown in simplified form but in practice will typically include a segmented arrangement as shown in FIG.  4 . In this arrangement the bin  90  includes a plurality of segments  96 - 100 . The banknotes from any one cassette are arranged to be deposited in a particular one of the segments to allow the speeding up or checking for example or emptying. Purged and retracted notes could be handled each with their own compartments in the same bin. Diverters (e.g. similar to those in FIG. 3) can be employed to select the current segment for deposit in the purge bin. 
     In order to carry out the replenishment, the purge sequence can be effected under the processor control  32  by steps shown in the flowchart of FIG.  5 . 
     Following low cassette level indication, the authorized operator will need to gain access via access controls and actuation of replenishment will cause the cassettes to be purged as indicated until emptying with appropriate status reports before and after purging to ensure reconciliation is correct.