Adaptive, predictive system for replenishing currency in ATMs
View Patent ↗A method of operating Automated Teller Machines, ATMs. An ATM dispenses currency, thereby depleting its supply, and requiring replenishment. Replenishment currently involves humans who (1) measure the currency content of an ATM, (2) compute an amount to be replenished, and (3) report the amounts replenished, when replenishment occurs. These human actions are error-prone. The invention eliminates all three steps. Under the invention, no actual measurement is made of currency content, for replenishment purposes. Instead, the content is estimated. Then, the estimate is used to compute an amount for replenishment. Replenishment occurs, but the fact of replenishment is inferred from signals received from the ATM, and not from a report from a human.
1. In connection with operation of a system of ATMs, each of which contains at least one computer, a method comprising the following steps:
a) identifying low-stocked ATMs, which require replenishment of currency;
b) causing replenishment of currency in low-stocked ATMs to occur;
c) receiving replenishment signals from the replenished ATMs; and
d) using the replenishment signals, and without using communications from parties performing the replenishment, preparing one, or more, reports concerning the ATMs replenished.
2. Method according to claim 1 , wherein each replenishment signal is generated by a computer within an ATM.
3. Method according to claim 2 , wherein the replenishment signals indicate contact with an ATM by a party other than a customer in the normal course of business.
4. Method according to claim 3 , wherein entry into an ATM by a burglar causes a replenishment signal to occur.
5. Method according to claim 1 , wherein the identifying process of paragraph (a) is performed by a system remote from the ATMs, without presence of a human at the ATMs.
6. In the operation of a system of ATMs, a method comprising:
a) maintaining a security system within each ATM, which
i) detects entry into the ATM, and
ii) issues an entry signal in response; and
b) scheduling replenishment of a group of ATMs during a time period; and
c) when entry signals are received from ATMs within the group, during the time period, designating the corresponding ATMs as having been replenished in currency.
7. A method of replenishing a plurality of ATMs, comprising the following steps:
a) for each ATM, making an estimate of the amount of currency stored therein, without measuring the currency presently stored;
b) using the estimates, identifying a subset of ATMs to be re-stocked with currency;
c) for each ATM in the subset, preparing a packet of currency;
d) transferring the packets to a courier;
e) receiving one, or more, signals from each ATM, which indicate interaction with the ATM by a party other than a customer;
f) recording
i) the times of receipt of the signals, and
ii) the identities of the ATMs issuing the respective signals; and
g) ascertaining whether the signals were issued by an ATM within the subset and
i) if not, contacting a law enforcement agency;
ii) if so, adjusting the estimate of the currency stored within that ATM.
8. Method according to claim 7 , wherein no person directly reports replenishment currency supply of any ATM.
9. Method according to claim 8 , wherein no communications, made by parties performing the replenishment, are utilized in preparing said report.