Self-service terminal
View Patent ↗A self-service terminal ( 10 ) comprises: a fascia ( 12 ) having a note entry/exit slot ( 56 ); and a note processing module ( 60 ) for processing notes deposited via the slot. The note processing module ( 60 ) includes a note transport mechanism ( 70, 70 A) for transporting notes between the slot and a note imaging means ( 74 ) arranged to scan the notes at a first speed. The transport mechanism includes a loop ( 70 A) arranged to transport notes through the imaging means ( 74 ) a second time at a second speed, the first speed being greater than said second speed.
1. A self-service terminal comprising:
a fascia having a note entry/exit slot;
an imager for imaging notes;
a note transport mechanism for transporting at a first speed a note from the slot past the imager to allow the imager to image the note a first time, the transport mechanism including a loop by which the note can be transported back past the imager at a second speed which is less than the first speed to allow the imager to image the note a second time which is after the first time; and
a controller for making a determination of validity of a note prior to imaging the note the second time, wherein only a note which is not considered valid is imaged the second time.
2. A self-service terminal as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a storage bin to which imaged notes can be transported.
3. A self-service terminal as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a reject bin to which an imaged note can be transported if a determination is made that the note is invalid.
4. A self service terminal as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising an exit chute to which an imaged note can be transported back to the user if a determination is made that the note is invalid and a determination is made that the user who deposited the note is still operating the terminal.
5. A note processing module comprising:
means defining a slot through which a note can be received;
an imager which can capture an image of a note;
a note transport mechanism for (i) transporting at a first speed a note from the slot to the imager to allow the imager to capture a first image of the note at a first time, and (ii) transporting at a second speed which is less than the first speed the note back to the imager to allow the imager to capture a second image of the note at a second time which is after the first time; and
a controller for making a determination of validity of a note prior to imaging the note the second time, wherein only a note which is not considered valid is imaged the second time.
6. A module as claimed in claim 5 , further comprising a storage bin to which imaged notes can be transported.
7. A module as claimed in claim 5 , further comprising a reject bin to which an imaged note can be transported if a determination is made that the note is invalid.
8. A module as claimed in claim 5 , comprising an exit chute to which an imaged note can be transported back to the user if a determination is made that the note is invalid and a determination is made that the user who deposited the note is still operating the terminal.
9. A method of depositing a bank note, the method comprising:
transporting at a first speed the bank note from an entrance slot past an image capture device to allow the image capture device to capture at a first time a first bank note image; and
transporting at a second speed which is less than the first speed the bank note back past the image capture device to allow the image capture device to capture at a second time which is after the first time a second bank note image which has a relatively higher resolution than the first bank note image;
wherein (i) the first bank note image has an effective resolution of approximately 40 dots per inch, and (ii) the second bank note image has an effective resolution of approximately 100 dots per inch.
10. A method comprising:
transporting a bank note from an entrance slot past an image capture device at a first speed to allow the image capture device to capture a bank note image;
directing the bank note to a storage bin when the bank note is considered valid; and
re-directing the bank note back past the image capture device at a second speed which is less than the first speed to allow the image capture device to capture another bank note image when the bank note is not considered valid.
11. A method as claimed in claim 10 , wherein (i) the effective resolution of the first captured bank note image is less than the effective resolution of the second captured bank note image.