Automated banking machine

• US 8,025,218 B2
• Filed: 09/21/2009
• Issued: 09/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Diebold Nixdorf, Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Diebold Incorporated (Diebold Nixdorf, Incorporated)
• Inventors: Miller, Greg, Phillips, Thomas B., Burns, Paul, Altier, Joseph M., Laha, Arindam, Valcore, John C., Hockman, Craig, Miller, Willis, Graef, H. Thomas, Laskowski, Edward L., Galloway, Todd, Carpenter, Keith, Barnett, Robert W., Ryan, Mike, Ward, Mark A., Brown, Martin J., Peters, David A., Kay, James R., Meek, James, Drozda, Laura
• Primary Examiner(s): Frech; Karl D.
• Application Number:
  US12/586,461
• Publication Number:
  US 20100114769A1
• Time in Patent Office: 736 Days
• Field of Search: 235/379, 902/9, 902/12, 902/13, 902/14
• US Class Current: 235/379
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2301/42122 by introducing articles from under the pile
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2301/42146 by introducing articles from above
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2404/261 Arrangement of belts, or belt(s) / roller(s) facing each other for forming a transport nip
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2404/651 having at least one element, e.g. stacker/inverter
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2404/655 Means for holding material on element
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2404/657 Means for varying the space between the elements
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2701/1912 Banknotes, bills and cheques or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 29/06 the grippers being carried by rotating members
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 29/40 Members rotated about an axis perpendicular to direction of article movement, e.g. star-wheels formed by S-shaped members
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 29/60 diverting the stream into alternative paths B65H29/62 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 3/00 Separating articles from piles associating, collating, or gathering articles B65H39/00; machines for separating superposed webs B65H41/00; unpiling thin material combined with folding B65H45/26; combinations of piling and depiling operations, of interest apart from the single operation of piling or depiling B65H83/00
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 39/02 Associating,collating or gathering articles from several sources
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 83/025 onto and from the same side of the pile or stack
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/042 characterized in that the payment protocol involves at least one cheque
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/1085 involving automatic teller machines [ATMs]
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 11/009 Depositing devices
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 11/10 Mechanical details
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 11/14 Inlet or outlet ports
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 11/16 Handling of valuable papers within containers G07D11/13
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 11/20 Controlling or monitoring the operation of devices; Data handling
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 11/235 : for monitoring or indicating operating conditions; for detecting malfunctions
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 11/24 : Managing the stock of valuable papers
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 11/30 : Tracking or tracing valuable papers or cassettes
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 7/12 : Visible light, infrared or ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 7/181 : Testing mechanical properties or condition, e.g. wear or tear G07D7/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 7/20 : Testing patterns thereon G07D7/004, G07D7/005 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/20 : Automatic teller machines [ATMs]
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/201 : Accessories of ATMs
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/202 : Depositing operations within ATMs depositing in general G07D11/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/203 : Dispensing operations within ATMs dispensing in general G07D11/00

Abstract

An automated banking machine (10) operates responsive to data read from data bearing records to cause financial transfers. The machine includes a user interface (12) including an opening (20). Users of the machine deliver individual sheets and stacks of sheets to and from the machine through the opening. Stacks of sheets may include sheets such as notes, checks or other documents. Stacks input to the machine may include mixtures of various types of sheets. The machine operates to receive notes, process checks and perform other operations. Notes received in the machine may be recycled and dispensed to other users. Checks processed by the machine may be imaged by an imaging device, cancelled and stored in the machine or alternatively returned to a user.

Claims

1. Apparatus comprising:

an automated banking machine including;

a user interface,

a check acceptor,

a cash dispenser,

a check imaging device,

at least one computer in operative connection with the user interface, check acceptor, cash dispenser, and check imaging device,

wherein the machine is operative to;

(a) receive a check from a user of the machine through operation of the check acceptor,

(b) dispense cash through operation of the cash dispenser,

(c) generate imaged check data through operation of the check imaging device, wherein the imaged check data corresponds to a visual image of at least one side of a received check,

(d) determine from imaged check data, check feature data corresponding to visual indicia included on the check, wherein the check feature data includes check amount data,

(e) send at least one first message from the machine toward a transaction host, wherein the at least one first message includes the check feature data,

(f) receive at least one transaction host-sent return message responsive to the first message, wherein the at least one transaction host-sent return message includes machine instruction data and check transaction identifying data,

wherein the instruction data is operative to cause at least one of;

a credit output indicated through the user interface, and

a cash dispense through operation of the cash dispenser,

wherein the check transaction identifying data

corresponds to at least some data included in the at least one first message, and

includes data corresponding to a transaction host-assigned transaction number,

(g) send at least one second message from the machine toward the transaction host, wherein the at least one second message includes

the transaction number, and

data indicative of whether the at least one of credit output and cash dispense was accomplished, and

(h) send imaged check data with data'"'"'corresponding to received check transaction identifying data, from the machine toward at least one computer remotely located from both the machine and the transaction host.

2. Apparatus comprising:

an automated banking machine including;

at least one housing,

a card reader in operatively supported connection with the at least one housing, wherein the card reader is operative to read card data from user cards, wherein the card data corresponds to financial accounts,

a check imaging device in operatively supported connection with the at least one housing,

a cash dispenser in operatively supported connection with the at least one housing,

a user interface in operatively supported connection with the at least one housing,

at least one processor in operative connection with the card reader, the check imaging device, and the user interface,

wherein the at least one processor is operative to cause through operation of the check imaging device, generation of image data corresponding to a visual image of at least a portion of a check input to the machine during a transaction,

wherein the at least one processor is operative to determine check data corresponding to visual indicia represented in the image data,

wherein the at least one processor is operative to cause first card data to be read from a user card through operation of the card reader,

wherein the at least one processor is operative to cause at least one transaction request message including data corresponding to the first card data and the check data, to be sent from the machine to a remote transaction authorization computer,

wherein the at least one processor is operative to cause the machine to receive from the transaction authorization computer subsequent to the at least one transaction request message being sent, at least one transaction authorization message that includes both

machine instruction data

and

transaction identifying data generated by and assigned to the transaction by the transaction authorization computer,

 

wherein the transaction identifying data is usable to uniquely identify the transaction,

wherein the at least one processor is operative responsive at least in part to receiving the machine instruction data, to cause at least one of

a transaction output through the user interface indicating a credit

and

a cash dispense from the machine through operation of the cash dispenser,

wherein the at least one processor is operative responsive at least in part to receiving the transaction identifying data, to associate the image data and

the transaction identifying data,

wherein the at least one processor is operative to cause at least one image message to be sent from the machine to a remote computer,

wherein the at least one image message includes in associated relation, both the transaction identifying data and the image data.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the at least one processor is operative to cause the at least one image message to be sent by the machine to a remote computer different from the transaction authorization computer.

4. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the at least one processor is operative to cause the check imaging device to image at least a portion of the check and to generate imaged check data, and wherein the at least one processor is operative to determine the check data from the imaged check data.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the check data includes data corresponding to at least one character included in a micr line on the check.

6. The apparatus according to claim 4 where in the check data includes data corresponding to an amount on the check.

7. The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the machine further comprises a magnetic sensor, wherein the at least one processor is operative responsive to the magnetic sensor to determine if the check has magnetic properties.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the at least one processor is operative to determine if the check has magnetic properties in areas where such properties are not appropriate in a valid check.

9. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the at least one image message includes image data corresponding to a visual image of at least one of the front side and the back side of the check.

10. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the transaction identifying data corresponds to at least some data included in the transaction request message.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the at least one transaction request message includes data corresponding to a terminal identifier, wherein the terminal identifier corresponds to the machine, and wherein the transaction identifying data includes data corresponding to the terminal identifier included in the at least one transaction request message.

12. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the transaction identifying data includes a transaction number assigned to the transaction through operation of the transaction authorization computer.

13. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the transaction identifying data includes entity data, wherein the entity data corresponds to a business entity responsible for operation of the machine.

14. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the transaction identifying data corresponds to a business date.

15. The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the transaction number includes a transaction sequence number.

16. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the at least one processor is operative to cause the cash dispenser to dispense cash responsive to at least one input to the user interface, and to cause a value associated with the dispensed cash to be assessed to an account corresponding to the first card data.

17. Apparatus comprising:

an automated banking machine including;

at least one housing,

a card reader in operatively supported connection with the at least one housing, wherein the card reader is operative to read card data from user cards, wherein the card data corresponds to financial accounts,

a cash dispenser in operatively supported connection with the at least one housing,

a check imager in operatively supported connection with the at least one housing,

at least one output device in operatively supported connection with the at least one housing,

at least one processor,

wherein the machine is operative

to generate image data corresponding to a visual image of a check input to the machine responsive to operation of the check imager,

to determine responsive to the image data, check data corresponding to visual indicia included on the check,

to dispense cash through operation of the cash dispenser responsive at least in part to receipt of the check,

to receive transaction identifying data from at least one remote computer, and

to send at least one image message including data corresponding to both at least a portion of the transaction identifying data and the image data to at least one remote computer.

18. The apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the card reader is operative to read first card data from a first user card, and wherein the machine is operative to send at least one first message to at least one first remote computer including data corresponding to the first card data and the check data, and to receive at least one second message from the at least one first remote computer, wherein the at least one second message includes transaction identifying data.

19. The apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the at least one second message further includes instruction data, and wherein the machine is operative to cause the cash dispenser to operate to dispense cash responsive at least in part to the instruction data.

20. The apparatus according to claim 18 and further comprising the at least one first remote computer, wherein the at least one processor is operative to cause the cash dispenser to dispense cash responsive at least in part to receipt of the at least one second message from the at least one first remote computer, and further comprising:

at least one second remote computer different from the at least one first remote computer, wherein the at least one second remote computer is operative to receive and process the image data and the transaction identifying data.

21. Apparatus comprising:

an automated banking machine associated with at least one computer,

wherein the machine includes a user interface comprising at least one output device,

wherein the machine includes a check acceptor operable to receive a financial check from a user of the machine during a check transaction,

wherein the machine includes at least one reader operable to read user data usable to identify a financial account involved in the check transaction,

wherein the machine includes a check imager operable to cause generation of image data corresponding to a visual image of at least a portion of the check received by the check acceptor,

wherein the machine is operable to determine check data corresponding to visual indicia represented in the image data,

wherein the machine is operable to cause at least one transaction request message including data corresponding to the user data and the check data, to be sent to at least one transaction authorization computer,

wherein the machine is operable to receive responsive at least in part to the at least one transaction request message being sent to at least one transaction authorization computer, at least one transaction authorization message,

wherein the at least one transaction authorization message includes both

 

machine instruction data,

 

wherein the machine is operable to at least cause responsive at least in part to receiving the machine instruction data, a credit value associated with an amount of the check to be indicated through the at least one output device,

 

and

 

transaction identifying data assigned to the check transaction by the at least one transaction authorization computer,

 

wherein the transaction identifying data is usable to identify the check transaction,

wherein the machine is operable to associate the transaction identifying data with the image data,

wherein the machine is operable to cause at least one image message to be sent to at least one remote computer that differs from the at least one transaction authorization computer,

wherein the at least one image message includes in associated relation, both the transaction identifying data and the image data.

22. The apparatus according to claim 21 wherein the machine includes a cash dispenser, wherein the machine is operable to cause the cash dispenser to dispense a value of cash that corresponds to the credit value indicated.

23. The apparatus according to claim 21 wherein the machine is operable to cause a monetary value corresponding to the credit value indicated to be accorded to the financial account.