Currency cassette access based on facial recognition

• US 20040164147A1
• Filed: 02/27/2004
• Published: 08/26/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Diebold Nixdorf, Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Diebold Self-Service Systems (Diebold Nixdorf, Incorporated)
• Inventors: Jenkins, Randall, Christie, John
• Granted Patent: US 7,293,699 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/382
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/1085 involving automatic teller machines [ATMs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40 Authorisation, e.g. identification of payer or payee, verification of customer or shop credentials; Review and approval of payers, e.g. check credit lines or negative lists
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 11/12 Containers for valuable papers
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 11/13 with internal means for handling valuable papers
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/20 Automatic teller machines [ATMs]
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/201 Accessories of ATMs
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/205 Housing aspects of ATMs

Abstract

An ATM currency cassette (208) includes a plurality of movable cassette information indicator buttons (214). Each button can be rotated about an axis for repositioning. The buttons can be axially moved outward and inward relative to the cassette housing (210) by rotation thereof. Different axial arrangements of the buttons represent respective different characteristics of cassette content. The cassette can be inserted into an ATM where the button positions can be read by the ATM. The cassette enables unused buttons to remain therewith and also permits a button arrangement to be changed without requiring opening of the cassette.

Claims

1. An apparatus including:

a cassette,

wherein the cassette is adapted for use in an automated banking machine,

wherein the cassette is operative to hold media therein,

wherein the cassette has an outer surface,

wherein the cassette includes a plurality of indicator members movably connected thereto,

wherein each of the members includes an end thereof and an axis,

wherein the axis is generally perpendicular to the outer surface,

wherein each end is operative to be moved between a first axial position and a second axial position,

wherein at least one of the first and second positions is spaced outwardly from the outer surface,

wherein at least one of the first and second positions is indicative of data regarding the cassette.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each of the members is rotatably movable relative to the outer surface.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein each end is operative to be rotatably moved between the first axial position and the second axial position.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein each of the members includes a screw thread.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the cassette includes a plurality of threads respectively corresponding to each of the member screw threads.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein each end comprises a screw head, wherein each member is axially movable via rotation of the head.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein each head is adapted to be rotatably moved outward and inward of the outer surface.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second positions is spaced inwardly from the outer surface.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the cassette is adapted for use in an automated banking machine with a member end spaced inwardly from the outer surface.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the cassette is adapted for use in an automated banking machine with a plurality of member ends spaced inwardly from the outer surface.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second positions is machine readable.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11 wherein each of the first and second positions is machine readable.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the first position is representative of a cassette condition and the second position is representative of a different cassette condition.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13 wherein each end is operative to be rotatably moved between a first data indicating position and a second data indicating position.

15. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the media comprises currency, wherein the cassette is operative to hold currency therein, and wherein each member comprises a currency cassette information indicator button.

16. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the apparatus includes an automated banking machine.

17. The apparatus according to claim 16 wherein the automated banking machine comprises an ATM.

18. The apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the ATM includes the cassette therein.

19. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein at least one end comprises a head, wherein the head includes indicia associated therewith.

20. The apparatus according to claim 19 wherein the head includes indicia thereon.

21. The apparatus according to claim 20 wherein the indicia is a symbolic representation of head position relative to the outer surface.

22. The apparatus according to claim 21 wherein the indicia includes arrow-shaped indicia.

23. The apparatus according to claim 20 wherein the indicia is a physical representation of head position relative to the outer surface.

24. The apparatus according to claim 23 wherein the indicia comprises at least one groove in the head.

25. The apparatus according to claim 20 wherein the outer surface includes an instructional label thereon.

26. The apparatus according to claim 25 wherein the label includes indicia corresponding to the head indicia.

27. The apparatus according to claim 26 wherein the label includes symbolic instructions relating the angular position of head indicia to head axial position.

28. The apparatus according to claim 27 wherein the head indicia includes arrow-shaped indicia, wherein with the arrow pointing in a first direction an end is in the first axial position, wherein with the arrow pointing in a second direction the end is in the second axial position.

29. The apparatus according to claim 28 wherein the first direction is ninety degrees from the second direction.

30. An ATM currency cassette including:

a plurality of movable information indicator buttons,

wherein each button is rotatable about an axis,

wherein rotation of a button causes axial movement thereof relative to an exterior surface of the cassette,

wherein an axial position of a button is operative to represent a condition of the cassette.

31. The cassette according to claim 30 wherein the outer surface includes a plurality of button holes, and wherein each button is operative to move inwardly and outwardly of a respective button hole.

32. The cassette according to claim 30 wherein the outer surface includes an instructional label thereon.

33. The cassette according to claim 32 wherein the label includes symbolic instructions relating a rotational position of a button to an axial position of the button.

34. The cassette according to claim 32 wherein the label includes symbolic instructions relating a rotational position of a button to an indicating condition of the cassette.

35. An ATM currency cassette including:

a plurality of movable cassette information indicator buttons,

wherein each button is rotatable about an axis,

wherein rotation of a button causes axial movement thereof relative to an exterior surface of the cassette,

wherein different axial positions of a button represent respective different characteristics of cassette content.

36. The cassette according to claim 35 wherein the axial position of each button is ATM readable.

37. A method of changing the representation of an ATM currency cassette condition indicator, including:

(a) securing a cassette condition indicator to an ATM currency cassette;

(b) rotating the indicator about an axis thereof to move the indicator axially relative to an exterior surface of the cassette.

38. The method according to claim 37 wherein (b) includes rotating the indicator to position the indicator inward of the exterior surface.

39. The method according to claim 37 wherein (b) includes rotating the indicator to extend a portion of the indicator outward of the exterior surface.

40. The method according to claim 37 wherein the indicator comprises an axially movable ATM readable cassette information indicator button, wherein (a) includes securing the button to an ATM currency cassette, wherein (b) includes rotating the button about an axis thereof to cause the button to move axially relative to an exterior surface of the cassette, and further comprising

(c) inserting the cassette in an ATM;

(d) reading a position of the button with the ATM.

41. An apparatus including:

a cassette,

wherein the cassette is adapted for use in an automated banking machine,

wherein the cassette is operative to hold media therein,

wherein the cassette includes at least one indicator member,

wherein the at least one indicator member includes data therewith regarding the cassette,

wherein the data is operative to be read by an automated banking machine,

wherein the data is operative to be read without requiring physical contact between the indicator member and a machine component.

42. The apparatus according to claim 41 wherein the indicator member comprises a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, wherein the data is representative of at least one of cassette identifying information and cassette content information.

43. An apparatus including:

a security system,

wherein the system is operative to restrict access to the interior of an automated banking machine media cassette,

wherein the system includes a database,

wherein the database includes data representative of images of individuals authorized access to the interior of the cassette,

wherein the system includes a camera,

wherein the camera is operative to capture an image of an individual,

wherein the system includes image recognition software,

wherein the software is operative to determine whether a captured image of an individual corresponds to an individual represented in the database,

wherein the system includes at least one processor,

wherein the at least one processor is operatively connected to the database and the camera,

wherein the at least one processor is operative to use the software.

44. The apparatus according to claim 43 and further including an automated banking machine media cassette and a cassette work station including the security system, wherein the cassette includes a lock control device, wherein access to the interior of the cassette is controlled by the lock control device, and wherein the lock control device is operatively connected to the at least one processor, wherein the at least one processor is operative to grant access to the interior of the cassette responsive to a positive determination.