Patent Description:
Service is often required on the media handling device for note jams, module failure, etc. During a service visit the lower module needs to be properly aligned with the intermediate module so as to ensure a note jam is unlikely to occur after the service visit. Misalignment of the lower module is a common issue associated with any service that needs performing on the media handling device. Any misalignment can cause the note path to be misaligned and result in note/media jams. The misalignment can be due to the tolerance of the note path and/or modules situated along the note path and/or due to excessive re-racking of a module by the service technician following a service visit to the terminal. The misalignment will itself result in an additional service call to remove jammed notes/media and/or replace any broken parts as a result of the excessive re-racking. <CIT> describes a self-service terminal which includes a plurality of media dispense and deposit modules, a media port, and a media transport movable between the modules and the port, the transport including a media entrance and a media exit. <CIT> describes an automated banking machine including a card reader, a display, a cash dispenser, and a module moveable between an operative position within a housing and a service position.

In various embodiments, a media recycler/dispenser, a terminal, and method for automatic alignment of modules in a media recycler/dispenser are presented. Sensors are mounted to surfaces of an intermediate module and a lower module of a media handling device. The sensors report to firmware and the firmware determines whether the lower module is in proper alignment with the intermediate module based on the reported sensor data. A spring plunger is configured with sufficient tension to push the lower module into alignment and a motorized latch controlled by the firmware is configured to pull the lower module into alignment and/or assist the spring plunger in pushing the lower module into alignment. In an embodiment, a lid and a lid alignment rail apparatus is provided to ensure a lid of the lower module is properly latched, aligned, and unlatched.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a media recycler or dispenser, comprising: an intermediate transport module; a lower transport module; sensors to provide alignment data relevant to whether the intermediate transport module is aligned with the lower transport module; a motorized latch affixed to the lower transport module; and a processor coupled to the sensors configured to: determine from the alignment data whether the intermediate transport module is aligned with the lower transport module or not; and control the motorized latch to move the lower transport module into alignment with the intermediate transport module based on the alignment data.

Aptly, the media recycler or dispenser further comprises a spring plunger with a configured tension to assist moving the lower transport module in a given direction for alignment.

Aptly, the lower transport module comprises: a lid to a top of the lower transport module, wherein the lid comprises an aperture and a slit leading to the aperture in a bottom of a side of the lid; and a lid rail latch apparatus comprising: a spring plunger; a rail adapted to hold the spring plunger; wherein the lid rail latch apparatus is adapted to be inserted through the aperture and the slit and to latch the lid to the top of the lower transport module.

Aptly, the lid is unlatched when the lid rail latch apparatus is completely removed from the aperture and the slit of the lid permitting the lid to be separated from the top of the lower transport module.

Aptly, the sensors comprise: a first sensor mounted to a bottom of the intermediate transport module; a second sensor mounted to a top of the intermediate transport module; and a distance sensor mounted to a side of the lower transport module.

Aptly, the sensors comprise: a pair of sensors mounted to a bottom of the lower transport module.

Aptly, the motorized latch comprises a motor and a latch controlled by the motor.

Aptly, the media recycler or dispenser is a peripheral device of a terminal.

Aptly, the terminal is an automated teller machine, a self-service terminal, or a point-of-sale terminal.

Aptly, the media recycler or dispenser further comprises a safe module comprising the lower transport module and media cassettes.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a terminal, comprising: a terminal processor to perform media transactions; first peripherals for performing the media transactions; and a media handling device peripheral to handle deposited media and dispensed media during the media transactions at the terminal, wherein the media handling device comprises the media recycler or dispenser of the first aspect of the present invention.

Aptly, the media handling device further includes a safe module, and the safe module includes the lower transport module and media cassettes.

Aptly, the media handling device further includes a spring plunger with a configured tension to assist moving the lower transport module in a given direction for alignment.

Aptly, the media handling device is a recycler or a dispenser.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method, comprising: receiving sensor data from sensors mounted on an intermediate transport module and a lower transport module of a media handing device; a processor determining whether the lower transport module is out of alignment with the intermediate transport module based on the sensor data; and the processor controlling a motorized latch affixed to the lower transport module to move the lower transport module into alignment with the intermediate transport module based on the sensor data.

Aptly, controlling further includes placing a motor associated with the motorized latch in neutral when the lower transport module needs pushing in a given direction to achieve alignment allowing a spring plunger to move the lower transport module into alignment.

Misalignment between a lower module and upper module of a media handling device is problematic and occurs following a service action that requires access to components, parts, or other modules associated with lower and upper modules. An existing approach used to assist service technicians to properly rack the modules includes a mechanical latch. A predefined mechanical based tolerance is associated with determining whether the lower and upper modules are aligned. However, due to manufacturing variances and tolerance build ups, the mechanical latch is unreliable and misalignment between the lower and upper modules frequently occurs. This then results in the central line of the media path being misaligned and causes media jams at the interface between the upper and lower modules and/or results in damage to the media which then causes media jams further downstream in the media handling device such as stacking areas or gate mechanisms.

The current misalignment issues are resolved with the teachings provided herein and below. Sensors, an electromechanical latch with motor, and a spring plunger are added to a media handling device along with firmware instructions to process sensor information received from the sensors and to drive the electromechanical latch through the motor are provided to provide automatic alignment of the lower module with the upper module. This provides repeatable and reliable alignments for the upper and lower modules of a media handling device which are not dependent on arbitrary and predefined tolerances or manufacturing variances in the components or parts of the upper and lower modules.

In an embodiment, a lower module lid with a lid alignment apparatus is also provided to ensure the lid is properly latched on to and unlatched from the lower module. The lid alignment apparatus ensures accurate vertical alignment of the lid to the lower module and ensures the lid is properly latched to the lower module when the lower module is racked into a safe (e.g., safe module) of the media handling device. The lid alignment apparatus also ensures that the lid cannot be opened if the apparatus is not fully extended and does not fully clear a top of the lower module even if the lower module is outside of and partially racked out of the safe.

<FIG> is a diagram of a system 100A for automatic alignment of modules, according to an example embodiment. It is to be noted that the components are shown schematically in greatly simplified form, with only those components relevant to understanding of the embodiments being illustrated.

Furthermore, the various components (that are identified in <FIG>) are illustrated and the arrangement of the components is presented for purposes of illustration only. It is noted that other arrangements with more or less components are possible without departing from the teachings of destroying notes of a media cassette upon detection of a security breach presented herein and below.

The system 100A includes a terminal <NUM> and a media handling device <NUM>. The terminal <NUM> includes a processor <NUM> and a variety of peripherals <NUM>. The peripherals include, by way of example, only, a card reader, a touchscreen display, a personal identification number (PIN) pad, a receipt printer, a bioptic scanner, a vertical scanner, a horizontal scanner, a handheld scanner, a weigh scale, a combined scanner and scale, a near field communication (NFC) transceiver, a wireless transceiver, etc..

The media handling device <NUM> is also a peripheral of the terminal <NUM>. The media handling device <NUM> includes an upper transport module <NUM>, an intermediate transport module <NUM>, a safe <NUM>, a processor <NUM> and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium (hereinafter just "medium") <NUM>, which includes executable alignment firmware instructions <NUM>. The instructions <NUM> when executed by the processor <NUM> cause the processor <NUM> to perform operations discussed herein and below with respect to firmware <NUM>.

The intermediate transport module <NUM> includes one or more alignment/distance sensors <NUM>. The safe includes one or more alignment/distance sensors <NUM>, a spring plunger <NUM>, a motor <NUM>, a latch <NUM>, and lower transport module <NUM>. The lower transport module <NUM> includes a lid apparatus <NUM> and media cassettes <NUM> for storing and dispensing banknotes and/or checks.

It is to be noted that each of upper transport module <NUM>, intermediate transport module <NUM>, and lower transport module <NUM> include a variety of their own modules. For example, upper transport module <NUM> can include an escrow module, an upper transport media path module, a media deskew module, a media validation module, and media escrow module, etc. The intermediate transport module can include a media diverter module, etc. Again, only those modules and/or components necessary for comprehending the teachings presented herein and below are discussed and illustrated in the FIGS.

<FIG> is a diagram 100B of a media handling device <NUM> with a lower module <NUM> in proper alignment with an intermediate module <NUM>, according to an example embodiment. A sensor <NUM> of intermediate module <NUM> is mounted on a bottom surface intermediate module <NUM> and a sensor <NUM> is mounted on a top surface of lower module <NUM>. In an embodiment, the sensors <NUM> and <NUM> are optical sensors.

The sensors <NUM> and <NUM> are mounted and directly oppose one another when the note/media path of the intermediate module <NUM> and the note/media path of the lower module <NUM> are properly aligned to ensure a note feed path between the modules <NUM> and <NUM> is properly aligned to avoid any note/media jams. Should the sensors <NUM> and <NUM> be misaligned, the sensors <NUM> and <NUM> report a full or partial blockage to firmware <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the intermediate module <NUM> and lower module <NUM> are in an aligned state, such that firmware <NUM> takes no action with respect to activating motor <NUM> and driving latch <NUM> to move the lower module <NUM> in a direction needed for proper alignment.

Additionally, a distance sensor <NUM> mounted on a rear surface of the lower module <NUM> reports a distance between the back surface of module <NUM> to the back of the safe <NUM>. Firmware <NUM> uses the distance provided by sensor <NUM> to determine when to stop nudging forward or pulling backward module <NUM> for purposes of properly aligning sensors <NUM> and <NUM> with one another. In the instant case illustrated in <FIG>, the reported distance informs firmware <NUM> that module <NUM> does not need pushed forward or pulled backward because sensors <NUM> and <NUM> are in alignment.

Misalignment between the lower <NUM> and intermediate <NUM> modules can be based on the lower module <NUM> being out of alignment by being too far forward within safe <NUM>, too far backward within safe <NUM>, too far to one side within the safe. The lid <NUM> of a top of lower module <NUM> can also not be fully aligned and latched or not fully unlatched. The manners in which of these different misalignments and proper alignments are now discussed with reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>.

<FIG> is a diagram 100C of a media handling device <NUM> with the lower module <NUM> skewed and out of alignment necessitating the lower module <NUM> to be moved forward into proper alignment, according to an example embodiment. A back wall of safe <NUM> includes an electronic latch <NUM> coupled to a motor <NUM>, the motor <NUM> controlled through a printed circuit board (PCB) by processor <NUM> through firmware <NUM>. An opposite end of latch <NUM> is affixed to a back or side outer surface of module <NUM>. Safe <NUM> further includes a spring plunger <NUM> affixed on one end to a back or side wall of safe <NUM> and an opposite end of plunger <NUM> wedged and in contact with a back or side wall of module <NUM>.

The alignment state of the lower <NUM> and intermediate <NUM> modules illustrated in diagram 100C causes sensor <NUM> to report a back portion of sensor <NUM> is visible while causing sensor <NUM> to report a front portion of sensor <NUM> to firmware <NUM>. This is an indication to firmware <NUM> that in order to align the sensors <NUM> and <NUM> module <NUM> must be moved forward from the back of safe <NUM>. Spring plunger <NUM> includes a configured tension for this alignment state that causes the spring to push or force against the surface of module <NUM> moving module <NUM> forward within safe <NUM> to reach its configured tension. Simultaneous to the pushing forward of module <NUM> by spring plunger <NUM>, firmware activates motor <NUM> and gently nudges module <NUM> forward, via latch <NUM>, into proper alignment.

Firmware <NUM> uses a current distance reported by distance sensor <NUM> between the back surface of module <NUM> and safe <NUM> to determine how much of a distance the motor <NUM> needs to move latch <NUM> forward. Firmware <NUM> cuts motor <NUM> causing module <NUM> to stop moving when the distance reported is a preconfigured distance and when sensors <NUM> and <NUM> report being in alignment with one another.

<FIG> is a diagram 100D a media handling device <NUM> with the lower module <NUM> skewed and out of alignment necessitating the lower module <NUM> to be moved backward into proper alignment, according to an example embodiment. Sensor <NUM> reports seeing a back portion of sensor <NUM> and sensor <NUM> reports seeing a front portion of sensor <NUM> to firmware <NUM>. This is an indication to firmware <NUM> the alignment state of module <NUM> and module <NUM> is one in which module <NUM> is too far forward within safe <NUM>. Firmware <NUM> controls motor <NUM> to pull module <NUM>, via latch <NUM>, backward and into proper alignment.

Distance sensor <NUM> reports a distance that is greater than a preconfigured distance between the back surface of module <NUM> and safe <NUM> to firmware <NUM>. Firmware <NUM> activates and controls motor <NUM> to pull latch <NUM> back towards the back wall of the safe <NUM> until the distance reported by distance sensor <NUM> is a preconfigured distance and until sensors <NUM> and <NUM> are reporting being in alignment with one another.

<FIG> is a diagram 200A of a lid <NUM> for the lower module <NUM> of the media handing device <NUM>, according to an example embodiment. In a corner of a sidewall of lid <NUM> is an aperture 166A and a slit 166B from a bottom of the sidewall into the aperture 166A. This is a P-shaped aperture manufactured into lid <NUM> or retrofitted into an existing lid to create lid <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram 200B of the lid <NUM> properly aligned and latched on a top of the lower module <NUM> when a safe door of lower module <NUM> is closed shut, according to an example embodiment. A lid apparatus is provided to fit through and latch into lid aperture 166A and slit 166B. The lid apparatus includes a spring plunger rod 166C and a rail 166D (more fully illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG> below). The lid apparatus locks or latches into place when it is fully inserted into aperture 166A and slit 166B. Diagram 200B illustrates that a tip of rod 166C is flush with an outer surface of the lid <NUM> and rail 166D runs under a bottom surface of a side of lid <NUM> such that just the tip of rod 166C is visible in diagram 200B. In this state, the lid <NUM> is correctly aligned and latched to the top of module <NUM>. A safe door of safe <NUM> compresses the spring plunger rod 166A to be flush and locks rail 166D into slit 166B when the safe door is closed.

<FIG> is a diagram 200C of the lid <NUM> properly aligned and latched on the top of the lower module when the safe door of safe <NUM> is opened, according to an example embodiment. Rail 166D is still locked or latched fully into slit 166B of lid <NUM> such that an end of rail 166B is not visible in diagram 200C. However, when the safe door is opened, spring rod 166C springs forward and a portion of rod 166C is visible extending out of a side of lid <NUM>. The lid <NUM> is properly aligned and latched but the lid apparatus 166C and 166D needs removed from the lid <NUM> fully before lid <NUM> can be unlatched and removed from the top of module <NUM> for access to media cassettes <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram 200D of an alignment and latching apparatus 166C and 166D for the lid <NUM> illustrating that the apparatus 166C and 166D has not fully cleared the lid <NUM> so as to permit the lid <NUM> to be removed from the top of the lower module <NUM>, according to an example embodiment. Diagram 200D shows spring rod 166D inserted into a tube aperture of rail 166D, the outer surface of the tube inserts into aperture 166A while a base that extends off of the outer surface of the tube extends straight down and is inserted through slit 166B of lid <NUM>. The bottom of the base extends out horizontally to form a lip and to fit under a side of lid <NUM> and run for a length of the side of lid <NUM> under a bottom surface of the side. As illustrated in diagram 200D an end of spring rod 166C still remains inside aperture 166A illustrated as 166E in <FIG>. This means that even though the rail 166D has cleared slit 166B, the rod 166C still has not cleared aperture 166A and lid <NUM> is incapable of being removed from the top of module <NUM>. The lid apparatus 166C and 166D is clear of an opened safe door for safe <NUM> but spring rod 166C is still extends within the aperture 166A of lid <NUM>. Thus, in this lid state the lid <NUM> cannot be properly removed from the top of module <NUM>.

The phrase "lid apparatus," "alignment rail," "rail latch apparatus," "lid rail latch apparatus," and/or "lid alignment rail apparatus" may be used interchangeably and synonymously herein. These phrases refer to the combination of spring rod 166C and rail 166D.

<FIG> is a diagram 200E of the alignment rail 166C and 166D for the lid <NUM> illustrating that the alignment rail 166C and 166D has fully cleared the lid <NUM> such that the lid <NUM> can be removed from the top of the lower module <NUM>, according to an example embodiment. 166E in <FIG> is intended to illustrate a gap or space between an end of rod 166C and aperture 166A, which means alignment rail 166C has been fully removed from lid <NUM> such that lid <NUM> can now be removed from the top of module <NUM> where media cassettes <NUM> are accessible for media replenishment and/or cassette service activities.

<FIG> illustrate an alternative or an additive embodiment to what was shown in <FIG>. The embodiments of <FIG> utilized a bottom mounted sensor <NUM> on intermediate module <NUM>, a top mounted sensor <NUM> on lower module <NUM>, and a back or side mounted distance sensor <NUM> to identify when the lower module <NUM> is in proper alignment with the intermediate module <NUM>. <FIG> can achieve alignment with two bottom mounted sensors <NUM> on a front base of the lower module <NUM>. It is noted that these embodiments are not mutually exclusive such that in an embodiment a bottom mounted sensor <NUM>, a top mounted sensor <NUM>, a side mounted distance sensor <NUM>, and two bottom mounted sensors <NUM> can be utilized with the teachings presented herein.

<FIG> illustrates a diagram 300A for proper alignment of the lower module <NUM> and intermediate module <NUM> with sensors 161A and 161B of the lower module <NUM> unblocked, according to an example embodiment. The top diagram illustrates the connection between the lower module <NUM> and intermediate module <NUM> to create a note/media path <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the note/media path <NUM> (dotted line in <FIG>) is aligned and unobstructed such that there is no catch points for the notes/media to jam.

The bottom figure illustrates that two lower module <NUM> sensors <NUM> are unobstructed since the circles 161A and 161B representing the location of two bottom mounted sensors <NUM> of module <NUM> are clear and unobstructed. This means the lower module <NUM> is properly aligned within safe <NUM>. Sensors <NUM> report being clear, such that firmware <NUM> takes no action to align module <NUM> within the safe <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a diagram 300B for a forward misalignment of the lower module <NUM> and intermediate module <NUM> with two bottom mounted sensors of the lower module <NUM> blocked, according to an example embodiment. In this example, the circles 161A and 161B representing the location of the sensors <NUM> report both being fully blocked (circles 161A and 161B are greyed out in <FIG>) to firmware <NUM>. This indicates that to firmware <NUM> that module <NUM> is located too far towards the back of safe <NUM>. Spring plunger <NUM> is configured to push against a back surface of module <NUM> while firmware <NUM> activates motor <NUM> to nudge, via latch <NUM>, module <NUM> forward and into alignment. Firmware <NUM> can also place motor <NUM> in neutral and allow spring plunger <NUM> to move module <NUM> into alignment with module <NUM> on its own.

In an embodiment, distance sensor <NUM> (discussed in <FIG>) reports a distance from the back surface of module <NUM> to the back of the safe. The distance when compared to a preconfigured distance informs firmware <NUM> that this is a forward misalignment indicating that firmware <NUM> needs to control motor <NUM> and correspondingly latch <NUM>, to assist spring plunger <NUM> in nudging module <NUM> forward in a direction away from the safe until the top mounted sensors <NUM> and <NUM> report being in alignment and until the preconfigured distance is reported by the distance sensor. Again, firmware <NUM> can also place motor <NUM> into neutral and allow spring plunger <NUM> to move module <NUM> into alignment on its own.

The top diagram of <FIG> shows that the alignment between the lower module <NUM> and intermediate module <NUM> is misaligned. As a result, a media catch point <NUM> is illustrated to show that notes/media could potentially jam when traveling between lower <NUM> and intermediate <NUM> modules.

<FIG> illustrates a diagram 300C for a backward misalignment of the lower module <NUM> and intermediate module <NUM> with the sensors <NUM> of the lower module <NUM> blocked, according to an example embodiment. Again, both lower module sensors <NUM> are blocked as illustrated by the greyed-out circles 161A and 161B in <FIG>.

This is similar to the alignment state discussed above with diagram 300B of <FIG>. In an embodiment, distance sensor <NUM> reports a distance indicating to firmware <NUM> that the back surface of module <NUM> is too far away from the back of the safe. Firmware <NUM> controls motor <NUM> and corresponding latch <NUM> to pull the back surface of module <NUM> back to a preconfigured distance of the back of the safe until top sensors <NUM> and <NUM> report being aligned with one another.

<FIG> illustrates a diagram 300D for a skewed left misalignment of the lower module <NUM> and intermediate module <NUM> with a left bottom mounted sensor <NUM> blocked (greyed-out circle 161B) and a right bottom mounted sensor <NUM> unlocked (unfilled and clear circle 161A) for the lower module <NUM>, according to an example embodiment. Sensors <NUM> report to firmware <NUM> and firmware <NUM> determines that the module <NUM> is skewed to the left and needs pulled to the right within safe <NUM>. Firmware <NUM> controls motor <NUM> and correspondingly latch <NUM> to pull the back surface of module <NUM> towards that back of the safe both sensors <NUM> report being clear.

<FIG> illustrates a diagram 300E for a skewed right misalignment of the lower module <NUM> and intermediate module <NUM> with the bottom mounted right sensor <NUM> blocked (greyed-out circle 161A) and the bottom mounted left sensor <NUM> unblocked (clear or unfilled circle 161B) for the lower module <NUM>, according to an example embodiment. Sensors report to firmware <NUM> and firmware <NUM> determines that the module <NUM> is skewed to the right and needs pushed to the right within safe <NUM>. Firmware <NUM> controls motor <NUM> and correspondingly latch <NUM> to push the back surface of module <NUM> away from the back of the safe until the sensors <NUM> report being clear. Spring plunger <NUM> can also be used to push the module <NUM>. In an embodiment, firmware <NUM> puts motor <NUM> into neutral and allows the spring plunger <NUM> to expand to its configured tension and move module <NUM> into alignment.

In an embodiment, the media handling device <NUM> is a recycler and/or dispenser of a terminal <NUM>. The terminal <NUM> is an automated teller machine (ATM). In an embodiment, the terminal <NUM> is a self-service terminal (SST). In an embodiment, the terminal <NUM> is a point-of-sale (POS) terminal. In an embodiment, the media items that are handled/managed by the media handling device <NUM> are banknotes, cash, and/or checks.

In an embodiment, when alignment necessitates pushing the module <NUM> forward or to the left, firmware <NUM> puts motor <NUM> in neutral allowing a configured tension of spring plunger <NUM> to extend to its configured tension and align the lower module <NUM> with the intermediate module <NUM>. In an embodiment, firmware <NUM> activates motor <NUM> and controls motor <NUM> to nudge latch <NUM> forward or to the left to assist spring plunger <NUM> in bringing lower module <NUM> into alignment with intermediate module <NUM>.

The above-referenced embodiments and other embodiments will now be discussed with reference to <FIG> is a flow diagram for automatically aligning modules of a media handling device, according to an example embodiment. The software module(s) that implements the method <NUM> is referred to as "firmware. " The firmware is implemented as executable instructions programmed and residing within memory and/or a non-transitory computer-readable (processor-readable) storage medium and executed by one or more processors of one or more devices. The processor(s) of the device(s) that executes the firmware are specifically configured and programmed to process firmware. The firmware can or cannot have access to one or more network connections during its processing. Any connections can be wired, wireless, or a combination thereof.

In an embodiment, the device that executes the firmware is media handling device <NUM>. In an embodiment, media handling device is a recycler or a dispenser. In an embodiment, the device that executes the firmware is safe <NUM> of media handling device <NUM>. In an embodiment, the device that executes the firmware is lower module <NUM> of media handling device <NUM>. In an embodiment, firmware is firmware <NUM>.

At <NUM>, the firmware, receives sensor data from sensors (<NUM> or <NUM> and <NUM>) mounted on a lower transport module <NUM> or mounted on an intermediate transport module <NUM> and the lower transport module <NUM> of a media handling device <NUM>. In an embodiment, the lower transport module <NUM> includes a distance sensor <NUM> and a top mounted sensor <NUM>, and the intermediate transport module <NUM> includes a bottom mounted sensor <NUM> In an embodiment, the lower transport module <NUM> includes two bottom mounted sensors and the intermediate transport module <NUM> does not include any sensor. In an embodiment, the intermediate module <NUM> includes a bottom mounted sensor <NUM> and the lower transport module <NUM> includes a top mounted sensor <NUM>, a distance sensor <NUM>, and two bottom mounted sensors.

At <NUM>, the firmware, determines the lower transport module <NUM> is out of alignment with the intermediate transport module <NUM> based on sensor data reported by the sensors <NUM> or sensors <NUM> and <NUM>. This can be achieved through sensor data associated with sensors <NUM> and <NUM> or through sensor data associated with just sensors <NUM>.

At <NUM>, the firmware, controls a motorized latch <NUM> affixed to the lower transport module <NUM> to move the lower transport module <NUM> into alignment with the intermediate transport module <NUM> using second sensor data provided from the sensors <NUM> or sensors <NUM> and <NUM>. In an embodiment, at <NUM>, the firmware places a motor <NUM> associated with the motorized latch <NUM> in neutral when the lower transport module <NUM> needs pushing in a given direction to achieve alignment allowing a spring plunger <NUM> to move the lower transport module <NUM> into alignment.

The above description is illustrative, and not restrictive. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of embodiments should therefore be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

In the foregoing description of the embodiments, various features are grouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting that the claimed embodiments have more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Description of the Embodiments, with each claim standing on its own as a separate exemplary embodiment.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words "comprise" and "contain" and variations of them mean "including but not limited to" and they are not intended to (and do not) exclude other moieties, additives, components, integers or steps.

Features, integers, characteristics or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith.

Claim 1:
A media recycler or dispenser, comprising:
an intermediate transport module (<NUM>);
a lower transport module (<NUM>);
sensors (<NUM>, <NUM>) to provide alignment data relevant to whether the intermediate transport module is aligned with the lower transport module;
a motorized latch (<NUM>) affixed to the lower transport module; and
a processor (<NUM>) coupled to the sensors configured to:
determine from the alignment data whether the intermediate transport module is aligned with the lower transport module or not; and
control the motorized latch to move the lower transport module into alignment with the intermediate transport module based on the alignment data.