Method and apparatus for automatic cashing of a negotiable instrument

• US 6,786,398 B1
• Filed: 02/28/2000
• Issued: 09/07/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ATC Realty Fifteen Incorporated
• Original Assignee: ATC Realty Fifteen Incorporated
• Inventors: Clower, Dyron, Templer, John W. Jr., Stinson, Michael C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Diane I.
• Application Number:
  US09/514,570
• Time in Patent Office: 1,653 Days
• Field of Search: 235/379, 235/375, 235/376, 235/380, 235/381, 235/382, 235/492, 902/3, 902/4, 902/5, 902/6, 705/35, 705/42, 705/43, 705/44, 705/45
• US Class Current: 235/379
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/1085 involving automatic teller machines [ATMs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/18 involving self-service terminals [SST], vending machines, kiosks or multimedia terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40145 Biometric identity checks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/253 visually
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/257 electronically G07C9/26 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 7/00 Testing specially adapted to determine the identity or genuineness of valuable papers or for segregating those which are unacceptable, e.g. banknotes that are alien to a currency
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/20 Automatic teller machines [ATMs]
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/202 Depositing operations within ATMs depositing in general G07D11/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/08 by coded identity card or credit card or other personal identification means without personal verification means G07F7/02
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/10 together with a coded signal , e.g. in the form of personal identification information, like personal identification number [PIN] or biometric data

Abstract

An automated check-cashing unit includes an input device configured to generate input signals in response to inputs from a customer, a storage device including a database of customer information, a check reader configured to receive and read a check to be processed, a cash dispenser, and an electronic processor. The processor is configured to receive the input signals from the input device, receive information about the check to be processed from the check reader, access the database of customer information to obtain data about the customer, and determine automatically whether to accept or reject the check based on the input signals, the received information about the check, and the data about the customer. Upon accepting the check, the processor signals the cash dispenser to dispense cash to the customer. The processor may be further configured to confirm the identity of the customer based on biometric information about the customer. Examples of suitable biometric information include the customer'"'"'s fingerprint or an image of the customer'"'"'s

Claims

1. An apparatus for dispensing cash in exchange for a negotiable instrument, the apparatus comprising:

a reader to receive the negotiable instrument from a user and to obtain from the negotiable instrument, information identifying a payor of the negotiable instrument;

a cash dispenser;

a first storage device local to the cash dispenser, the first storage device including a database of payor information; and

a processor configured to;

determine whether cash should be dispensed based on the information identifying the payor of the negotiable instrument and the database of payor information, and

cause the cash dispenser to dispense cash to the user in response to a determination that cash should be dispensed.

2. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a biometric device to acquire biometric information of the user, wherein the processor is further configured to confirm the identity of the user using the acquired biometric information, and to determine whether cash should be dispensed based further on whether the identity of the user is confirmed.

3. An apparatus as recited in claim 2, further comprising a second storage device local to the cash dispenser, the second storage device storing a database of biometric information on a plurality of users, wherein the processor is further configured to confirm the identity of the user using the database of biometric information and the acquired biometric information of the user.

4. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a user input device to receive a user identifier from a user, wherein the processor is configured to determine whether cash should be dispensed based further on the user identifier.

5. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the local database of payor information includes stored payor information for the payor of the negotiable instrument, the stored payor information including criteria of the payor of the negotiable instrument, and wherein the processor is configured to determine that cash should not be dispensed if the criteria are not met.

6. An apparatus for cashing a check, the apparatus comprising:

a user input device to receive a user identifier from a user;

a check reader to receive the check and to read information identifying a payor of the check from the check;

a biometric device to acquire biometric information of the user;

a cash dispenser;

a storage device local to the user input device, the check reader, the biometric device and the cash dispenser, wherein the storage device includes a database of payor information representing payors of checks; and

a processor configured to;

confirm the identity of the user based on the user identifier and the acquired biometric information,

determine whether to cash the check based on whether the identity of the user is confirmed, the information identifying the payor of the check, and the database of payor information, and

cause the cash dispenser to dispense cash to the user in response to a determination that the check should be cashed.

7. An apparatus as recited in claim 6, further comprising a local database of biometric information on a plurality of users, wherein the processor is further configured to confirm the identity of the user further using the database of biometric information.

8. An apparatus as recited in claim 6, wherein the local database of payor information includes stored payor information for the payor of the check, the stored payor information including criteria of the payor of the check, and wherein the processor is configured to determine that the check should not be cashed if the criteria are not met.

9. An apparatus as recited in claim 6, wherein the processor is configured to determine that the check should be cashed if:

(a) the local database of biometric information includes stored biometric information for the user;

(b) the stored biometric information corresponds to the acquired biometric information;

(c) the local database of payor information includes stored payor information for the payor of the check; and

(d) criteria in the stored payor information for the payor of the check are satisfied.

10. An apparatus for cashing a check, the apparatus comprising:

a user input device to receive a user identifier from a user;

a check reader to receive the check and to read information identifying a payor of the check from the check;

a biometric device to acquire biometric information of the user;

a local database of biometric information on a plurality of users;

a cash dispenser;

a storage device local to the cash dispenser, the storage device including a database of payor information representing payors of checks; and

a processor configured to;

confirm the identity of the user based on the user identifier, the acquired biometric information, and the local database of biometric information,

determine whether the check should be cashed based on whether the identity of the user is confirmed, the information identifying the payor of the check, and the database of payor information, and

cause the cash dispenser to dispense cash to the user in response to a determination that the check should be cashed.

11. An apparatus as recited in claim 10, wherein the local database of payor information includes stored payor information for the payor of the check, the stored payor information including criteria of the payor of the check, and wherein the processor is configured to determine that the check should not be cashed if the criteria are not met.

12. An apparatus as recited in claim 10, wherein the processor is configured to determine that the check should be cashed if:

(a) the local database of biometric information includes stored biometric information for the user;

(b) the stored biometric information corresponds to the acquired biometric information;

(c) the local database of payor information includes stored payor information for the payor of the check; and

(d) criteria in the stored payor information for the payor of the check are satisfied.

13. A method of dispensing cash in exchange for a negotiable instrument, the method comprising:

receiving information identifying a user;

receiving the negotiable instrument;

reading from the negotiable instrument, information identifying a payor of the negotiable instrument;

storing a database of payor information locally at a cash dispensing location;

determining whether cash should be dispensed based on the information identifying the user, the information identifying the payor of the negotiable instrument, and the database of payor information; and

dispensing cash at the cash dispending location in response to determining that cash should be dispensed.

14. A method as recited in claim 13, further comprising using a biometric device to acquire biometric information of the user, wherein said determining comprises confirming the identity of the user using the biometric information, and determining whether cash should be dispensed further based on whether the identity of the user is confirmed.

15. A method as recited in claim 14, further comprising storing locally a database of biometric information on a plurality of users, wherein said confirming the identity of the user comprises using the database of biometric information and the acquired biometric information of the user to confirm the identity of the user.

16. A method as recited in claim 13, wherein the database of payor information includes stored payor information for the payor of the check, the stored payor information including criteria of the payor of the check, wherein said determining comprises determining that the check should not be cashed if the criteria are not met.

17. A method as recited in claim 13, wherein said determining comprises determining that the check should be cashed if:

(a) the local database of biometric information includes stored biometric information for the user;

(b) the stored biometric information corresponds to the acquired biometric information;

(c) the local database of payor information includes stored payor information for the payor of the check; and

(d) criteria in the stored payor information for the payor of the check are satisfied.

18. An apparatus for dispensing cash in exchange for a negotiable instrument, the apparatus comprising:

means for receiving information identifying a user;

means for receiving the negotiable instrument;

means for reading from the negotiable instrument, information identifying a payor of the negotiable instrument;

means for storing a database of payor information locally at a cash dispensing location;

means for determining whether cash should be dispensed based on the information identifying the user, the information identifying the payor of the negotiable instrument, and the database of payor information; and

means for dispensing cash at the cash dispensing location in response to determining that cash should be dispensed.