Count and login management

• US 20060112007A1
• Filed: 09/05/2003
• Published: 05/25/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Talaris Holdings Limited (Glory Limited)
• Original Assignee: De La Rue International Limited (De La Rue PLC)
• Inventors: Murphy, Brendan K., Hurwitz, Harlan A., Pickles, Robert, Kautsch, Stewart A., Wobser, Daniel M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,765,135 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/40
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/102 Bill distribution or payments
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/02 Banking, e.g. interest calculation or account maintenance credit or loans G06Q40/03
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/20 Automatic teller machines [ATMs]
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/207 Surveillance aspects at ATMs

Abstract

This invention provides systems and methods that minimize or remove human intervention during the payment media handling process on the shop floor, in the back office and at the cash-in-transit place. By automating processes and providing physical, tamper evident secure means for transporting the payment media, it is possible to limit, if not remove, the need for retail staff to handle payment media This invention also provides systems and methods that enable the retailer to count, reconcile and prepare the payment media in a format that is acceptable to the commercial banks. This invention further provides systems and methods for a secure audit trail that detail payment media movement from the payment media originating source to the bank.

Claims

1. A method of controlling a machine that accepts payment media and that requires a user login operation, the method comprising:

receiving the payment media in an input receptacle of the machine;

starting processing of the payment media that has been received in the input receptacle; and

performing the user login operation,

wherein the step of performing the user login operation can be done before, during or after the step of processing the payment media.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising storing the payment media received in the input receptacle in a secure device until the user login operation is completed.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the secure device comprises one or more of a roll store in the machine, an escrow device in the machine, or a secure compartment in the machine.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the user login operation is performed at the machine, is performed from a location electronically coupled to the machine over a local communication network or is performed from a remote location electronically coupled to the machine over a wide area communication network.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the machine is located in a retail store, and the user is a cashier of a retail store, a teller, an individual having minimal training in the operation of payment media handling devices or an individual not skilled in the operation of payment media handling devices, wherein a retail store includes one or more of at least a single store, multiple stores, one or more third party concession stands located within a single store and two or more stores located within a mall.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the machine is located in a retail store, and the user is an employee of a company different from a retail store, wherein a retail store includes one or more of at least a single store, multiple stores, one or more third party concession stands located within a single store and two or more stores located within a mall.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the machine is located at a central location, and users of the machine are employees from plural companies having access to the central location.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the processing of the payment media comprises feeding the payment media through the machine, and the user login operation is performed while the payment media is being fed through the machine.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the processing of the payment media includes at least one of counting the payment media, determining a denomination of the payment media and authenticating the payment media.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the payment media is one or more of currency notes, currency coins, currency vouchers and currency checks.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the payment media is one or more of currency notes, currency coins, currency vouchers and currency checks.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the machine is capable of dispensing payment media previously accepted into the machine.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the processing of the payment media is cancelled following a plurality of user login operation failures.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein, following the plurality of user login operation failures, the machine returns to a user the same payment media that was placed into the input receptacle by the user.

15. The method of claim 3, wherein the same the payment media stored in the escrow device is returned to a user following an unsuccessful login operation.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising notifying a user that the payment media processing has been successfully completed upon occurrence of a successful user login and completion of the processing.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising storing the payment media in the machine upon a determination of a successful user login operation and completion of the processing.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the user login operation is performed using a user interface of the machine.

19-22. -22. (canceled)

23. A machine-readable storage medium that provides instructions for controlling a machine that accepts payment media and that requires a user login operation, the instructions, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:

receiving the payment media in an input receptacle of the machine;

starting processing of the payment media that has been received in the input receptacle; and

performing the user login operation,

wherein the step of performing the user login operation can be done before, during or after the step of processing the payment media.

24-34. -34. (canceled)

35. A machine that accepts payment media and that requires a user login operation, the machine comprising:

an input receptacle into which a user of the machine places the payment media;

a user interface through which the user of the machine performs a user login operation; and

a controller that starts processing of the payment media that has been received in the input receptacle and that performs the user login operation either before, during or after processing the payment media.

36-50. -50. (canceled)