Value token dispensing system and method

1 . A value token dispensing system comprising a value token dispenser for securely storing value tokens and for dispensing value tokens to a customer in response to a dispense command; a control system for issuing dispense commands when validly authorised to do so: and an input system for inputting a quantity or value of value tokens to be dispensed and including a validation system which enables a dispense command to be issued by the control system when authorised by a supervisor supplying secure data which has been read and validated by the validation system.

2 . A system according to claim 1 , wherein the validation system includes a biometric reading system for reading biometric characteristics of the supervisor.

3 . A system according to claim 1 , wherein the operation of the dispenser is at least overseen by a teller, the validation system being adapted to read and validate secure data identifying the teller.

4 . A system according to claim 3 , wherein the validation system includes a biometric reading system for reading biometric characteristics of the teller.

5 . A system according to claim 2 , wherein the biometric reading system is adapted to read one or more of a fingerprint, eye pattern, palm print, handprint, signature, facial image and voice.

6 . A system according to claim 4 , wherein the biometric reading system comprises two biometric readers.

7 . A system according to claim 1 , wherein the input system is located such that the supervisor, in use, can see the value token dispenser.

8 . A system according to claim 1 , wherein the operation of the dispenser is at least overseen by a teller, and wherein the input system is located such that the supervisor, in use, can see the teller.

9 . A system according to claim 1 , wherein the validation system validates secure data by comparing it with prestored valid data.

10 . A system according to claim 1 , wherein the value token dispenser is adapted to dispense one or more of banknotes, ID cards, credit cards, cheques, bank cards and prepayment cards.

11 . A system according to claim 1 , wherein the value token dispenser includes a normally locked container containing value tokens, the container being unlocked in response to issue of said dispense command.

12 . A system according to claim 1 , further comprising a store for storing the identity of the supervisor who validated the dispense transaction.

13 . A system according to claim 3 , further comprising a store for storing the identity of the teller.

14 . A method of controlling the dispensing of value tokens to a customer from a value token dispenser, the method comprising validating the identity of the customer, obtaining and validating secure data from a supervisor to authorise a transaction and, if validated, dispensing a required quantity or value of value tokens.

15 . A method according to claim 14 , wherein the secure data comprises biometric characteristics of the supervisor.

16 . A method according to claim 14 , wherein the operation of the dispenser is at least overseen by a teller, the method further comprising reading and validating secure data identifying the teller, whereby value tokens are only dispensed if a teller is present.

17 . A method according to claim 16 , wherein the secure data identifying the teller comprises biometric characteristics of the teller.

18 . A method according to claim 15 , wherein the biometric characteristics comprise one or more of a fingerprint, eye pattern, palm print, signature, handprint, facial image and voice.

19 . A method according to claim 14 , wherein validation is achieved by comparing the secure data obtained with prestored data.

20 . A method according to claim 14 , wherein the operation of the dispenser is at least overseen by a teller, and wherein the step of obtaining secure data is carried out while the supervisor can see the teller.

21 . A method according to claim 14 , wherein the step of obtaining secure data is carried out while the supervisor can see the value token dispenser.

22 . A method according to claim 14 , wherein the value tokens comprise one or more of banknotes, ID cards, credit cards, cheques, bank cards and prepayment cards.

23 . A method according to claim 14 , wherein the validating step is carried out automatically.

24 . A method according to claim 14 , further comprising recording the identity of the supervisor who authorised the transaction.

25 . A method according to claim 16 , further comprising recording the identity of the teller.

26 . A value token dispensing system comprising a value token dispenser for securely storing value tokens and for dispensing value tokens to a customer in response to a dispense command; a control system for issuing dispense commands when validly authorised to do so; and an input system for inputting a quantity or value of value tokens to be dispensed and including a supervisor recording system for recording the identity of a supervisor of a dispense transaction and thereafter enabling the control system to issue a dispense command.

27 . A system according to claim 26 , wherein the operation of the dispenser is overseen by a teller, the validation system being adapted to read and validate secure data identifying the teller.

28 . A method of controlling the dispensing of value tokens from a value token dispenser to a customer, the method comprising obtaining authority to dispense a required quantity or value of value tokens from a supervisor; and recording the identity of the supervisor.

29 . A method according to claim 28 , wherein the operation of the dispenser is at least overseen by a teller, the method further comprising reading and validating secure data identifying the teller, whereby value tokens are only dispensed if a teller is present.