Card activated cash dispensing automated banking machine

• US 8,573,480 B2
• Filed: 12/05/2011
• Issued: 11/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Diebold Nixdorf, Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Diebold Self-Service Systems (Diebold Nixdorf, Incorporated)
• Inventors: Ma, Songtao, Vidmar, David, Russell, Michael, Harmon, Larry, Klein, Eric, Enright, Jeffery M., Ryan, Mike R., Wellbaum, Wayne
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Michael G
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHEDEKEL, TABITHA F
• Application Number:
  US13/310,858
• Publication Number:
  US 20120138676A1
• Time in Patent Office: 701 Days
• Field of Search: 235/375, 235/379, 235/380, 705/1.1, 705/17, 705/18, 705/19, 705/20, 705/21, 705/22, 705/23, 705/24, 705/25, 902/8, 902/12, 902/14, 902/15, 902/16, 902/17
• US Class Current: 235/379
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2220/01 indicating an entity as a function of which control, adjustment or change is performed, i.e. input
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2220/03 indicating an entity which is measured, estimated, evaluated, calculated or determined but which does not constitute an entity which is adjusted or changed by the control process per se
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2511/51 Presence
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2511/524 Multiple articles, e.g. double feed
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2553/30 using acoustic or ultrasonic elements
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2557/64 for detecting type or properties of handled material
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 7/12 responsive to double feed or separation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/042 characterized in that the payment protocol involves at least one cheque
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 7/08 Acoustic waves
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 7/12 Visible light, infrared or ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/20 Automatic teller machines [ATMs]

Abstract

An automated banking machine operates to cause financial transfers responsive to data read from data bearing records. The automated banking machine includes a card reader operative to read card data from user cards corresponding to financial accounts. The automated banking machine also includes a display and a printer to produce records of financial transactions carried out with the machine. The card reader is operative to read and return card information read from the user card responsive. The automated banking machine further includes a sheet detector that is operative to detect at least one property usable to distinguish between the presence or absence of a sheet and/or determine a property of the sheet.

Claims

1. Apparatus comprising:

an automated banking machine that operates responsive at least in part to data read from data bearing records to cause financial transfers, including;

a card reader operative to read card data from user cards, wherein the card data corresponds to financial accounts;

at least one processor associated with the machine, wherein the at least one processor is in operative connection with the card reader, wherein the at least one processor is operative to cause;

a computer determination to be made that card data read from a card corresponds to a financial account concerning which financial transfers are authorized to be conducted through machine operation; and

a financial transfer at least one of to and from the financial account responsive at least in part to the determination;

a sheet path, wherein the sheet path is operative to receive sheets;

at least one waveguide;

at least one transmitter,

wherein the at least one transmitter is operative to emit at least one first ultrasonic sound signal through the at least one waveguide;

at least one receiver,

wherein the at least one waveguide is operative to guide the at least one first ultrasonic sound signal from the at least one transmitter to a first area in the sheet path, and from the first area in the sheet path to the at least one receiver,

wherein the at least one receiver is operative to output at least one first output signal responsive at least in part to a detection of the first ultrasonic sound signal in the at least one waveguide by the at least one receiver; and

at least one circuit including at least one processor, in operative communication with the at least one receiver and the at least one transmitter, wherein the at least one circuit is operative to determine at least one of a sheet presence and a property of at least one sheet positioned in the first area in the sheet path responsive at least in part to the at least one first output signal from the at least one receiver.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one circuit is operative to determine that the at least one sheet positioned in the first area in the sheet path corresponds to at least two overlapped sheets responsive at least in part to the at least one first output signal from the at least one receiver.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one circuit is operative to determine that the at least one sheet positioned in the first area in the sheet path corresponds to a counterfeit sheet of currency, responsive at least in part to the at least one first output signal from the at least one receiver.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one circuit is operative to determine that the at least one sheet positioned in the first area in the sheet path corresponds to either a currency note or a check, responsive at least in part to the at least one first output signal from the at least one receiver.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one waveguide includes a first waveguide, wherein the first waveguide includes a first end and a second end, further comprising:

a first material that is operative to dampen the at least one first ultrasonic sound signal,

wherein both the at least one transmitter and the at least one receiver are positioned within the first end of the first waveguide, wherein the first area in the sheet path is positioned between the first material and the second end of the first waveguide.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one waveguide includes a first waveguide, and a second waveguide,

wherein the first waveguide includes a first end and a second end,

wherein the second waveguide includes a first end and a second end,

wherein the at least one transmitter is positioned to emit the first ultrasonic sound signal into the first end of the first waveguide,

wherein the at least one receiver is positioned to detect the first ultrasonic sound signal at the first end of the second waveguide,

wherein the first area in the sheet path is positioned between the second end of the first waveguide and the second end of the second waveguide.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet path includes a second area spaced apart from the first area, further comprising a sheet transport that is operative to move sheets through the sheet path from the first area to the second area,

wherein the at least one waveguide includes a first waveguide, a second waveguide, and a third waveguide,

wherein the first waveguide includes a first end and a second end,

wherein the third waveguide includes a first end and a second end,

wherein the second waveguide includes a first end adjacent a first passageway that splits into first and second branches that include respective separate passageways and respective second and third ends of the second waveguide,

wherein the first area of the sheet path is positioned between the second end of the first waveguide and the second end of the second waveguide,

wherein the second area of the sheet path is positioned between the second end of the third waveguide and the third end of the second waveguide,

wherein the at least one receiver is positioned adjacent at least one of the first ends of the first, second and third waveguides,

wherein the at least one transmitter is positioned adjacent at least one of the first ends of the first, second and third waveguides,

wherein the at least one circuit is operative to determine at least one of a sheet presence or at least one property of a sheet positioned in the second area in the sheet path responsive at least in part to at least one second output signal from the at least one receiver.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the at least one transmitter includes a first transmitter and a second transmitter,

wherein the first transmitter is positioned adjacent the first end of the first waveguide and is operative to emit the first ultrasonic sound signal through the first waveguide,

wherein the second transmitter is positioned adjacent the first end of the third waveguide and is operative to emit a second ultrasonic sound signal through the third waveguide,

wherein the at least one receiver is positioned adjacent the first end of the second waveguide,

wherein the at least one receiver is operative to detect the at least one first ultrasonic sound signal that is emitted by the first transmitter and that passes through the first area and through the first branch of the second waveguide to the at least one receiver,

wherein the at least one receiver is operative to detect the at least one second ultrasonic sound signal that is emitted by the second transmitter and that passes through the second area and through the second branch of the second waveguide to the at least one receiver,

wherein the at least one circuit is operative to independently operate the first and second transmitters to emit the respective at least one first and the at least one second ultrasonic sound signals in order to determine at least one of a sheet presence and at least one property of at least one sheet positioned at different times in the first and second areas in the sheet path responsive at least in part to the respective first and second output signals from the at least one receiver.

9. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the at least one transmitter is positioned adjacent the first end of the second waveguide,

wherein the at least one transmitter is operative to emit the at least one first ultrasonic sound signal through the first passageway and into each of the first and second branches of the second waveguide,

wherein the at least one receiver includes a first receiver and a second receiver,

wherein the first receiver is positioned in first end of the first waveguide and is operative to detect a first portion of the at least one first ultrasonic sound signal that passes through the first branch of the second waveguide, through the first area, and through the first waveguide to the first receiver,

wherein the first receiver is operative to output the at least one first output signal responsive at least in part to a detection of the first portion of the at least one first ultrasonic sound signal by the first receiver,

wherein the second receiver is positioned in the first end of the third waveguide and is operative to detect a second portion of the at least one first ultrasonic sound signal that passes through the second branch of the second waveguide, through the second area, and through the third waveguide to the second receiver,

wherein the second receiver is operative to output at least one second output signal responsive at least in part to a detection of the second portion of the at least one first ultrasonic sound signal by the second receiver,

wherein the at least one circuit is operative to independently monitor the first and second outputs from the respective first and second receivers in order to determine at least one of a sheet presence or at least one property of at least one sheet positioned at different times in the first and second areas in the sheet path.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a first material positioned inside the at least one waveguide adjacent at least one of the at least one receiver and the at least one transmitter, wherein the first material is operative to dampen ultrasonic sound signals.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising at least one drive circuit operatively connected to the at least one transmitter, wherein the at least one circuit is operative to cause the at least one drive circuit to cause the at least one transmitter to output a burst of the at least one first ultrasonic sound signal including a plurality (N) of ultrasonic sound signal pulses in a pulse train at a frequency (f₀) of pluses per second during the burst, wherein the at least one waveguide has a length such that at a temperature of zero degrees Celsius, a time delay (T_d) between the emission of the burst of the at least one first ultrasonic sound signal by the at least one transmitter and a detection of the burst of the at least one first ultrasonic sound signal by the at least one receiver is greater than N*1/f₀.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a detection circuit operatively connected with the at least one receiver, wherein the at least one receiver is operative to emit an analog signal responsive to the detection of the burst of the at least one ultrasonic sound signal, where in the detection circuit is operative to sample the analog signal and is operative to produce the output signal responsive at least in part to the sampled analog signal, wherein the detection circuit is operative to delay sampling the analog signal for a time period after the drive circuit begins causing the at least one transmitter to emit the burst of the at least one ultrasonic sound signal.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the time period of the delay is greater than a conduction time via the walls of the waveguide (t_c)+N*1/f₀.

14. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one transmitter is operative to output the at least one first ultrasonic sound signal with a beam angle of greater than 45 degrees.

15. The apparatus according to claim 1 and further comprising:

at least one data store is in operative connection with the at least one circuit, wherein the at least one data store includes sheet data corresponding to at least one output signal corresponding to at least one sheet positioned at the first area in the sheet path, wherein the at least one circuit is operative to determine at least one of a sheet presence and at least one property of at least one sheet in the first area in the sheet path, responsive at least in part to the at least one output signal and the sheet data.

16. Apparatus comprising:

an automated banking machine that operates responsive at least in part to data read from data bearing records to cause financial transfers, including;

a card reader operative to read card data from user cards, wherein the card data corresponds to financial accounts;

at least one processor associated with the machine, wherein the at least one processor is in operative connection with the card reader, wherein the at least one processor is operative to cause;

a computer determination to be made that card data read from a card corresponds to a financial account concerning which financial transfers are authorized to be conducted through machine operation; and

a financial transfer at least one of to and from the financial account responsive at least in part to the determination;

a first area in a sheet path and a second area in the sheet path that is spaced apart from the first area, wherein the first and second areas are operative to receive sheets therethrough;

at least one waveguide, wherein the at least one waveguide includes a common pathway that splits into a first branch and a second branch including separated pathways;

a first transmitter,

wherein the first transmitter is positioned to emit at least one first ultrasonic sound signal through the first area and into the first branch of the at least one waveguide;

a second transmitter,

wherein the second transmitter is positioned to emit at least one second ultrasonic sound signal through the second area and into the second branch of the at least one waveguide;

at least one receiver,

wherein the at least one receiver is positioned to detect the first and second ultrasonic sound signals in the common pathway of the at least one waveguide,

wherein the at least one receiver is operative to output respective first and second output signals responsive to the detected first and second ultrasonic sound signals; and

at least one circuit including at least one processor, in operative communication with the at least one receiver and the first and second transmitters, wherein the at least one circuit is operative to independently operate the first and second transmitters to emit the respective first and second ultrasonic sound signals in order to determine at least one of a sheet presence and at least one property of at least one sheet positioned at different times in the first and second sheet areas in the sheet path responsive at least in part to the respective first and second output signals from the at least one receiver.

17. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the at least one circuit is operative to determine that the at least one sheet positioned in at least one of the first and second areas in the sheet path corresponds to at least two overlapped sheets responsive at least in part to at least one of the first and second output signals from the at least one receiver.

18. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the at least one circuit is operative to determine that the at least one sheet positioned in at least one of the first and second areas in the sheet path corresponds to a counterfeit sheet of currency, responsive at least in part to at least one of the first and second output signals from the at least one receiver.

19. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the at least one circuit is operative to determine that the at least one sheet positioned in at least one of the first and second areas in the sheet path corresponds to either a currency note or a check, responsive at least in part to at least one of the first and second output signals from the at least one receiver.

20. Apparatus comprising:

an automated banking machine that operates responsive at least in part to data read from data bearing records to cause financial transfers, including;

a card reader operative to read card data from user cards, wherein the card data corresponds to financial accounts;

at least one processor associated with the machine, wherein the at least one processor is in operative connection with the card reader, wherein the at least one processor is operative to cause;

a computer determination to be made that card data read from a card corresponds to a financial account concerning which financial transfers are authorized to be conducted through machine operation; and

a financial transfer at least one of to and from the financial account responsive at least in part to the determination;

a first area in a sheet path and a second area in the sheet path that is spaced apart from the first area, wherein the first and second areas are operative to receive sheets therethrough;

at least one waveguide, wherein the at least one waveguide includes a common pathway that splits into a first branch and a second branch including separated pathways;

a first transmitter,

wherein the first transmitter is positioned to emit at least one first ultrasonic sound signal through the first area and into the first branch of the at least one waveguide;

a second transmitter,

wherein the second transmitter is positioned to emit at least one second ultrasonic sound signal through the second area and into the second branch of the at least one waveguide;

at least one receiver,

wherein the at least one receiver is positioned to detect the first and second ultrasonic sound signals in the common pathway of the at least one waveguide,

wherein the at least one receiver is operative to output respective first and second output signals responsive to the detected first and second ultrasonic sound signals; and

at least one circuit including at least one processor, in operative communication with the at least one receiver and the first and second transmitters, wherein the at least one circuit is operative to independently operate the first and second transmitters to emit the respective first and second ultrasonic sound signals in order to determine at least one of a sheet presence and at least one property of at least one sheet positioned at different times in the first and second sheet areas in the sheet path responsive at least in part to the respective first and second output signals from the at least one receiver;

at least one data store is in operative connection with the at least one circuit, wherein the at least one data store includes sheet data,

wherein the at least one circuit is operative responsive at least in part to the sheet data to at least one of;

determine that the at least one sheet positioned in at least one of the first and second areas in the sheet path corresponds to at least two overlapped sheets responsive at least in part to at least one of the first and second output signals from the at least one receiver;

determine that the at least one sheet positioned in at least one of the first and second areas in the sheet path corresponds to a counterfeit sheet of currency, responsive at least in part to at least one of the first and second output signals from the at least one receiver; and

determine that the at least one sheet positioned in at least one of the first and second areas in the sheet path corresponds to either a currency note or a check, responsive at least in part to at least one of the first and second output signals from the at least one receiver,

wherein the at least one circuit is operative to cause at least one of the first and second transmitters to output at least one burst of the respective first and second ultrasonic sound signals including a plurality (N) of ultrasonic sound signal pulses in a pulse train at a frequency (f₀) of pluses per second during the at least one burst,

wherein the at least one receiver is operative to emit at least one analog signal responsive to a detection of the at least one burst of the respective first and second ultrasonic sound signals, wherein the at least one circuit is operative to sample the at least one analog signal and is operative to produce at least one of the respective first and second output signals responsive at least in part to the sampled at least one analog signal.