Patent Description:
One prior SST utilizes a worm drive and motor positioned near a front of the shutter. The drive and motor are subject to damage during an attack by a vandal attempting to force open the shutter. <CIT> discloses a mechanism adapted for presentation, retraction and purging of a bunch of media (<NUM>) such as currency notes in ATMs and cash dispensers. <CIT> discloses a media dispenser module. <CIT> discloses an arrangement for closing an opening for the input and/or output of notes of a device for handling notes.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a device comprising:.

Aptly, wherein the cam pin moves from the second end of the cam slot toward the first end of the cam slot as the cam pin continues to rotate beyond the attachment point on the end plate.

Also described herein but not claimed is a self-service terminal that includes a customer display, a media handling device, a frame adapted to mount below the customer display and through which media items are conveyed, a cam shaft rotatably coupled to the frame having a first and a second cam driver at a respective first and second end of the cam shaft, the cam drivers including a respective first and second driver pin, and a shutter rotatably coupled to the frame via a first end plate having a first cam slot mating with the driver pin of the first cam driver and a second end plate having a second cam slot mating with the driver pin of the second cam driver.

Aptly, the first and second cam slots have a curved shape from a first end to a second end such that the respective first and second driver pins are operable to lock the shutter when positioned proximate the first end of the first and second cam slots.

Aptly, the shutter is rotatably attached to the frame at an attachment point on both of the first and second end plates that is opposite the shutter, and wherein the second ends of the first and second cam slots are oriented directly above the attachment point when the shutter is in a closed position, and the first end of the cam slot is oriented above the attachment point and toward the shutter such that upward force applied to the shutter is applied via the drive pin transverse to the cam slot and cam shaft axis to minimize rotational force applied to the cam shaft axis.

Aptly, the curved shape of the first and second cam slots have an axis of curvature centered about the cam shafts for a first portion between the first end and the second end, and curves away from the cam shafts for a second portion between the first end and the second end of the first and second cam slots wherein the first and second portion are curved to keep the door closed as the drive pin rotates downward in the slot, and to open the shutter as the drive pin continues to rotate beyond the attachment point on the end plate.

Aptly, the self-service terminal further comprises a motor having a motor gear and a cam shaft gear coaxially coupled to the cam shaft and coupled to the motor gear to rotate the cam shaft.

Aptly, the self-service terminal further comprises a first sensor flag supported by the cam shaft to rotate with the shaft, a first optical sensor supported by the frame to detect an open position of the shutter responsive to rotation of the first sensor flag, a second sensor flag supported by the cam shaft to rotate with the shaft, and a second optical sensor supported by the frame to detect a closed position of the shutter responsive to rotation of the second sensor flag.

Also described herein but not claimed is a shutter for a self-service terminal, the shutter includes a shutter blade having a first end and a second end and first and second end plates attached to the respective first and second ends of the shutter blade. Each endplate includes an attachment point providing an axis for rotation of the shutter blade when coupled to a frame such that the shutter rotates about the axis from a closed position to an open position and a cam slot positioned to engage with a drive pin that rotates about a cam shaft axis, the cam slot having an arc formed coaxial with the cam shaft axis such that force applied to the shutter blade to force the shutter blade from the closed to the open position is applied to the drive pin transverse to the cam slot, and a selected movement of the drive pin about the cam shaft axis results in the drive pin traversing the slot and moving the shutter blade to the open position.

Aptly, the cam slots include a second arc about an axis opposite the slots from the cam shaft axis when the shutter blade is in the closed position.

Aptly, the first arc extends from a first end of the cam slot that is substantially on a same horizontal plane with the cam shaft axis and located between the attachment point and the shutter blade, and the second arc extends to a second end of the cam slot that is located generally above the attachment point when the shutter blade is in the closed position.

Aptly, the shutter has an arcuate shape having an axis of curvature about the attachment point.

These and other aspects of the present invention will be apparent from the following specific description, given by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:.

In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments which may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural, logical and electrical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following description of example embodiments is, therefore, not to be taken in a limited sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.

The functions or algorithms described herein may be implemented in software or a combination of software and human implemented procedures in one embodiment. The software may consist of computer executable instructions stored on one or more non-transitory storage devices. Examples of such non-transitory storage devices include computer readable media or computer readable storage devices such as one or more memory or other type of hardware based storage devices, either local or networked and other non-transitory storage devices. The term "module" may be used to represent code stored on a storage device for execution by circuitry, such as one or more processors, which together form specifically programmed circuitry or computer. Modules may also include combinations of code, circuitry, firmware or any combination thereof capable of performing functions associated with the module. Multiple functions may be performed in one or more modules as desired, and the embodiments described are merely examples. The code or software may be executed on a digital signal processor, ASIC, microprocessor, or other type of processor operating on a computer system, such as a personal computer, server or other computer system.

In various embodiments, a self-service terminal (SST) having a display and a cash dispenser utilizes a shutter to control access to cash or other documents provided by the cash dispenser. A frame provides support for the shutter to open and close the shutter. A cam shaft is coupled to the frame has cam drivers at ends of the cam shaft. The cam drivers include driver pins that fit in slots on end plates of the shutter that operate in conjunction with the slots to open and close the shutter when the cam shaft is rotated, and to lock the shutter when in a closed position.

<FIG> is a perspective block diagram view of a shutter assembly <NUM>. A shutter blade (not shown in <FIG>) is supported by two end plates <NUM>, <NUM> coupled to respective ends of the shutter blade such as by screws <NUM>, <NUM>. The end plates are each coupled to ends <NUM>, <NUM> of a frame <NUM> at an attachment point <NUM> about which the end plates and shutter rotate to move the shutter between an open and a closed position. The attachment point <NUM> may comprise a bolt in one embodiment, or other attachment means to permit rotation of the end plates <NUM>, <NUM> with respect to the frame at their respective points of attachment. In one embodiment, the attachment point on the end plate is on a side of the end plate that is opposite the shutter to provide a suitable radius of rotation of the shutter.

Frame <NUM> supports a cam shaft <NUM> via flanges indicated at <NUM> (only one shown in <FIG>) near each end of the frame. Each end of the cam shaft <NUM> includes a cam driver <NUM>, <NUM> having a cam pin <NUM> (only one shown in <FIG>) positioned to traverse a slot <NUM> (only one is visible in <FIG>) in the end plates <NUM>, <NUM> of the shutter blade. The cam pins <NUM> are spaced on the cam driver <NUM>, <NUM> from the cam shaft <NUM> to rotate about the cam shaft <NUM>. The cam pins <NUM> and slots <NUM> act to lock the shutter blade in a closed position, and operate to open the shutter blade as each cam pin <NUM> traverses a respective slot <NUM>.

A gear <NUM> with teeth for engaging with teeth of a mating gear of a motor is shown attached to the cam shaft. A recess <NUM> may be formed in the frame <NUM> to facilitate rotation of the gear <NUM> and corresponding rotation of the shaft. One or more flags <NUM>, <NUM> may also be attached to the cam shaft <NUM> and may be used in conjunction with optical sensors to sense the rotational position of the cam shaft and corresponding position of the shutter. Such sensed positions may be used to determine a direction of rotation for the cam shaft and when the shutter is fully open or fully closed.

In some embodiments, only one cam pin and slot may be utilized. However, the use of such a combination near each end of the shutter provides a stronger resistance to attempts to pry open the slot by applying upward force to a lower edge of the slot, and further minimize twisting and deformation of the shutter that might result if only one end of the slot is locked.

<FIG> provide side views of the shutter assembly generally at <NUM>, and illustrate opening and closing of the shutter indicated at <NUM>. The reference numbers are consistent with those in <FIG>. In the progression of figures, the pin <NUM> may be observed traversing the slot <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates the shutter <NUM> in a closed and locked position. The pin <NUM> is located in a top or first end <NUM> of the slot <NUM>. The cam plates <NUM>, <NUM> are in a rotated position that results in the cam pins <NUM> being generally toward the shutter <NUM>.

As the cam shaft <NUM> rotates in a counterclockwise direction in one embodiment, the pin <NUM>, which is coupled to rotate about the cam shaft axis starts to traverse down a first portion <NUM> of the slot <NUM>. The first portion <NUM> is curved, forming an arc with a radius of curvature approximately coaxial with the cam shaft <NUM>. This rotation is illustrated in <FIG>, where the shutter remains in a closed position.

<FIG> illustrates further rotation of the cam shaft <NUM> causing the pin <NUM> to continue to traverse the slot <NUM> in a second portion <NUM>, which curves in a direction somewhat opposite the direction of the curve of the first portion <NUM> forming an arc having an axis opposite the slots from the cam shaft axis when the shutter blade is in the closed position. The pin <NUM> reaches or nearly reaches a second or lower end <NUM> of slot <NUM> at which point the shutter <NUM> has begun to rotate towards an open position.

As the rotation of the cam shaft <NUM> continues, the pin <NUM> begins to traverse back up the slot <NUM>, moving the shutter to a completely open position when the pin reaches approximately the middle <NUM> of the slot <NUM>. At this open position, the pin can be seen to have rotated with the cam shaft over <NUM> degrees, causing the shutter to contact or almost contact a fixed portion of the frame indicated at <NUM> when the shutter is in a fully open position.

To close the shutter <NUM>, the cam shaft is rotated back to the starting position as indicated in <FIG>. During the rotation to close the shutter, the pin <NUM> applies force to a side of the slot <NUM> nearest the shutter <NUM>, resulting in rotation of the slot downward towards the closed position. As the pin reaches the top portion <NUM>, the shutter <NUM> is fully closed and locked in the closed position.

The slot <NUM> in one embodiment is shown as curved, with the top portion <NUM> curved in one direction, and the bottom portion <NUM> curved in an opposite direction. The top <NUM> of the slot <NUM> is positioned level with the cam axis in one embodiment when the shutter <NUM> is in a closed position. In that closed position, the bottom <NUM> of the slot <NUM> is positioned above the rotation or attachment point <NUM> of the end plate. The cam shaft is also located nearly directly above the attachment point <NUM> of the end plate. This general or initial orientation of the slot and relative positioning of the attachment point <NUM> and cam shaft <NUM> facilitates traversal of the pin through a substantial distance of the slot while still retaining the ability to keep the shutter closed, until the rotation of the pin starts to push against the slot after about <NUM> degrees of rotation, and starts to fully open the shutter <NUM>.

<FIG> is a side block view of the shutter assembly indicated at <NUM> and illustrating forces applied when trying to pry open a closed shutter. When a prying force illustrated by arrow <NUM> is applied at a bottom of the shutter <NUM> trying to force it open, that force <NUM> is translated to force <NUM> by virtue of force <NUM> being applied transverse to the axis of rotation indicated at attachment point <NUM>. Thus, force <NUM> is also a rotational force that is also transverse to the axis of rotation. End plate <NUM> is thus forced against pin <NUM> by virtue of slot <NUM>. The force <NUM> is directly transverse to the axis of rotation of the cam shaft <NUM>. This means that no rotational force is applied to the cam shaft, and no stress is placed on the gear <NUM> or motor gear.

By orienting the second end of the cam slot directly above the attachment point <NUM> when the shutter is in a closed position and orienting the first end of the cam slot above the attachment point and toward the shutter, upward force applied to the shutter is applied via the drive pin transverse to the cam slot. As the pin is rotated through the first portion <NUM> of the slot <NUM>, similar prying force <NUM> result in force that is still mostly transverse to the cam shaft axis.

As the pin is rotated still further into the second portion, the prying force <NUM> may result in some force being applied via the pin <NUM> that is no longer substantially transverse to the cam shaft axis. By this time, the shutter is in the process of being opened anyway, making such prying force superfluous. Note also, that when the shutter is completely open as indicated in <FIG>, force to close the shutter is also translated to force applied toward the cam shaft axis. Thus, the shutter is locked in both of the open and closed positions.

The shutter assembly may be used in either left or right hand locations of SSTs without modification. The design of the shutter assembly provides a narrower height profile, allowing compliance with stringent usability height restrictions of various countries, such as the CSA (Canadian Standards Association. ) The lower profile may also facilitate the use of a more powerful motor to be packaged into a same space envelope and provide enhanced locking torque characteristics. During a locking phase, the pin can stop over a wide range of positions and still effectively and fully lock the shutter or blade. Still further the shutter may overlap with internal SST cash guides and ensure superior weatherization and attack resistance.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the shutter assembly indicated generally at <NUM>. The shutter <NUM> is shown in the closed position. When installed in a self-service terminal (SST), the shutter <NUM> in conjunction with a fascia of the SST will cover a chamber in which media (such as banknotes, also called bills) may be deposited until the cover opens up into the fascia. A motor <NUM> is supported by the frame <NUM> and rotates a motor gear <NUM> that mates with gear <NUM> to turn the cam shaft <NUM>. Circuitry <NUM> may be located proximate the motor <NUM> to control the motor. The circuitry <NUM> may also be coupled to the optical sensors to receive signals generated in response to sensing of the positions of the flags <NUM>, <NUM> and corresponding position of the shutter <NUM>. Sensor housings <NUM>, <NUM> are shown supported by the frame <NUM> to support optical sensors in one embodiment such that the flags rotate into a field of view of the sensors mounted in the housings. In some embodiments, circuitry <NUM> may be included or in communication with a central controller in the SST to receive instructions and provide data to the central controller.

<FIG> is a block cross section representation of an optical sensor <NUM> supported within each of the sensor housing <NUM>, <NUM>. Optical sensor <NUM> in one embodiment includes a transmitter <NUM>, such as a laser or light emitting diode, spaced from a receiver <NUM> such as a photo-sensor. The transmitter and receiver are spaced to allow movement of a flag <NUM> or <NUM> mounted on cam shaft <NUM> to move between them depending on rotation of the cam shaft <NUM>. Other types of sensors may be used in further embodiments as a means for detecting an open or closed position of the shutter <NUM>.

<FIG> is a block cross section simplified representation of a portion of a self-service terminal (SST) indicated generally at <NUM>. The shutter <NUM> is shown disposed between a display portion <NUM> and a dispensing portion <NUM> of the SST <NUM>. In one embodiment, a front part of the SST <NUM> includes a fascia <NUM> that extends from the SST <NUM> and creates a space <NUM> for the shutter <NUM> to move into when the shutter is opened as indicated by arrow <NUM>, exposing materials provided by or to be inserted into the dispensing portion <NUM>. <FIG> is not to scale, as the shutter <NUM> and fascia <NUM> are shown exaggerated in size to more clearly illustrate the interaction of the shutter <NUM> with the SST <NUM>. Further, the top of the SST <NUM> is shown cut off.

<FIG> is a block diagram view of a further example SST <NUM>. SST <NUM> may include a chassis <NUM> that supports multiple modules such as a customer display <NUM>, an encrypting personal identification number (PIN) pad <NUM>, a dispenser <NUM>, a safe or security portion <NUM>, and various other modules that are not shown for clarity of illustration, such as a receipt printer, a statement printer, a depository, a journal printer, a computer core to implement a central controller and control performance of transactions, and other modules in different embodiments.

The dispenser <NUM> may include a slot having a shutter <NUM> covering the opening of the slot in a closed position. The slot fits below a fascia <NUM> of the SST <NUM>. The shutter <NUM> may fit retractably on the dispenser <NUM> or the fascia <NUM> in various embodiments.

In one embodiment, the dispenser <NUM> may be located within the security enclosure <NUM>, and is operable to receive media items and dispense media items previously received from a customer or provide cash. The slot may be located on the dispenser <NUM>, and the shutter <NUM> may be located on the recycler or the SST fascia. The shutter <NUM> may be oriented in differently in various embodiments. While earlier embodiments showed the shutter in a substantially horizontal orientation with the shutter moving up to be in an open position, in further embodiments, the shutter assembly may be rotated to different orientation. The orientation illustrated in <FIG> is part way between a vertical and a horizontal orientation.

<FIG> is a block schematic diagram of a computer system <NUM> to implement methods according to example embodiments, including, but not limited to SST transactions and controlling one or more of the various modules in the SST. All components need not be used in various embodiments. One example computing device in the form of a computer <NUM>, may include a processing unit <NUM>, memory <NUM>, removable storage <NUM>, and non-removable storage <NUM>. Although the example computing device is illustrated and described as computer <NUM>, the computing device may be in different forms in different embodiments. For example, the computing device may instead be a smartphone, a tablet, smartwatch, or other computing device including the same or similar elements as illustrated and described with regard to <FIG>. Devices such as smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches are generally collectively referred to as mobile devices. Further, although the various data storage elements are illustrated as part of the computer <NUM>, the storage may also or alternatively include cloud-based storage accessible via a network, such as the Internet.

Memory <NUM> may include volatile memory <NUM> and non-volatile memory <NUM>. Computer <NUM> may include - or have access to a computing environment that includes - a variety of computer-readable media, such as volatile memory <NUM> and non-volatile memory <NUM>, removable storage <NUM> and non-removable storage <NUM>. Computer storage includes random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM) & electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or other memory technologies, compact disc read-only memory (CD ROM), Digital Versatile Disks (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices capable of storing computer-readable instructions for execution to perform functions described herein.

Computer <NUM> may include or have access to a computing environment that includes input <NUM>, output <NUM>, and a communication connection <NUM>. Output <NUM> may include a display device, such as a touchscreen, that also may serve as an input device. The input <NUM> may include one or more of a touchscreen, touchpad, mouse, keyboard, camera, one or more device-specific buttons, one or more sensors integrated within or coupled via wired or wireless data connections to the computer <NUM>, and other input devices. The computer may operate in a networked environment using a communication connection to connect to one or more remote computers, such as database servers, including cloud based servers and storage. The remote computer may include a personal computer (PC), server, router, network PC, a peer device or other common network node, or the like. The communication connection may include a Local Area Network (LAN), a Wide Area Network (WAN), cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth, or other networks.

Computer-readable instructions stored on a computer-readable storage device are executable by the processing unit <NUM> of the computer <NUM>. A hard drive, CD-ROM, and RAM are some examples of articles including a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as a storage device. The terms computer-readable medium and storage device do not include carrier waves. For example, a computer program <NUM> capable of providing a generic technique to perform access control check for data access and/or for doing an operation on one of the servers in a component object model (COM) based system may be included on a CD-ROM and loaded from the CD-ROM to a hard drive. The computer-readable instructions allow computer <NUM> to provide generic access controls in a COM based computer network system having multiple users and servers.

Claim 1:
A device (<NUM>) comprising:
a shutter blade (<NUM>) supported by an end plate (<NUM> or <NUM>);
a cam driver (<NUM> or <NUM>) having a cam pin (<NUM>) positioned to traverse a cam slot (<NUM>) in the end plate (<NUM> or <NUM>) of the shutter blade (<NUM>), the cam pin (<NUM>) and cam slot (<NUM>) configured to lock the shutter blade (<NUM>) in a closed position, and configured to open the shutter blade (<NUM>) as the cam pin (<NUM>) traverses the cam slot (<NUM>);
a frame (<NUM>) to mount in a media dispensing portion (<NUM> or <NUM>) of a self-service terminal (<NUM> or <NUM>); and
a cam shaft (<NUM>) rotatably coupled to the frame (<NUM>) and coupled to the cam driver (<NUM> or <NUM>) at an end of the cam shaft (<NUM>), wherein the cam pin is spaced on the cam driver to rotate about the cam shaft;
wherein the shutter blade (<NUM>) is rotatably attached to the frame (<NUM>) at an attachment point (<NUM>) on the end plate (<NUM> or <NUM>) that is opposite the shutter blade (<NUM>),
wherein the cam slot (<NUM>) has a curved shape from a first end (<NUM>) to a second end (<NUM>) such that the cam pin (<NUM>) is operable to lock the shutter blade (<NUM>) when positioned proximate the first end (<NUM>), wherein the curved shape of the cam slot (<NUM>) has an axis of curvature centered about the cam shaft (<NUM>) for a first portion (<NUM>) between the first end (<NUM>) and the second end (<NUM>), and curves away from the cam shaft (<NUM>) for a second portion (<NUM>) between the first end (<NUM>) and the second end (<NUM>) of the cam slot (<NUM>);
wherein the second end (<NUM>) of the cam slot (<NUM>) is oriented directly above the attachment point (<NUM>) when the shutter blade (<NUM>) is in the closed position, and the first end (<NUM>) of the cam slot (<NUM>) is oriented above the attachment point (<NUM>) and toward the shutter blade (<NUM>) when the shutter blade (<NUM>) is in the closed position such that upward force applied to the shutter blade (<NUM>) is applied via the cam pin (<NUM>) transverse to the cam slot (<NUM>);
and wherein the first and second portion (<NUM>, <NUM>) are curved to keep the shutter blade (<NUM>) closed as the cam pin (<NUM>) rotates downward in the cam slot (<NUM>), and to open the shutter blade (<NUM>) as the cam pin (<NUM>) continues to rotate beyond the attachment point (<NUM>) on the end plate (<NUM> or <NUM>).