Check accepting and cash dispensing automated banking machine system and method
View Patent ↗An automated banking machine system and method includes ATMs which accept checks and dispense cash to users. The ATMs are operated to acquire image and magnetic data from deposited checks to determine the genuineness of checks and the authority of a user to receive cash for such checks. Cash may be dispensed to the user from the ATM in exchange for the deposited check. The ATMs dispense cash responsive to communications with a transaction host.
1. A method comprising:
(a) receiving a document in a cash dispensing ATM;
(b) sensing indicia on the document with at least one sensing device of the ATM;
(c) analyzing data corresponding to the indicia sensed on the document through operation of the ATM;
(d) subsequent to (b), moving the document in a transport of the ATM including a pair of disposed document supporting rails;
(e) engaging the document with a plunger member; and
(f) while engaging the document, moving the plunger member in a transverse direction between the rails to move the document into a storage location in the ATM.
2. The method according to claim 1 and further comprising:
(g) prior to (f), moving the plunger member in an opposed transverse direction such that the plunger member is disposed on an opposed side of the transport from the storage location.
3. The method according to claim 1 wherein in (a) the document comprises a check, and further comprising:
(g) prior to (b), moving the check in a first longitudinal direction in engagement with a first transport;
(h) prior to (b), and subsequent to (g) moving the check in a direction transverse of the direction the check is moved in (g) in engagement with at least two independently moving transports.
4. The method according to claim 3 wherein (h) further comprises moving the check to align an edge of the check with the first longitudinal direction.
5. The method according to claim 4 wherein (h) further includes sensing the check with a plurality of non-contact sensors disposed along the first longitudinal direction.
6. The method according to claim 1 wherein in (a) the document comprises a check, wherein (b) includes sensing magnetic indicia on the check.
7. The method according to claim 6 wherein (b) includes sensing optical indicia on at least one side of the check.
8. The method according to claim 6 and further comprising;
prior to (e), printing indicia on the check through operation of at least one printer in the ATM.
9. The method according to claim 1 and further comprising:
dispensing cash from the ATM responsive to the analysis in (c).
10. The method according to claim 1 and further comprising:
dispensing cash from the ATM through operation of a cash dispenser.
11. The method according to claim 1 wherein the document comprises a check, and wherein (a) includes receiving the check in the ATM.
12. The method according to claim 1 wherein the document comprises a currency bill, and wherein (a) includes receiving the currency bill in the ATM.
13. A method comprising:
(a) receiving a first document in a cash dispensing ATM;
(b) sensing indicia on the first document with at least one sensing device of the ATM;
(c) analyzing data corresponding to the indicia sensed on the first document through operation of the ATM;
(d) subsequent to (b), moving the first document in a transport of the ATM including a pair of disposed document supporting rails;
(e) moving the first document into a first storage location in the ATM, including engaging the first document with a plunger member moving in a first transverse direction between the rails;
(f) receiving a second document in the ATM;
(g) sensing indicia on the second document with at least one sensing device of the ATM;
(h) analyzing data corresponding to the indicia sensed on the second document through operation of the ATM;
(i) subsequent to (g), moving the second document in the transport;
(j) moving the second document into a second storage location in the ATM including engaging the second document with the plunger member moving in a second transverse direction between the rails, wherein the second transverse direction is opposed of the first transverse direction.
14. The method according to claim 13
wherein (e) includes moving the first document against an opposing biasing force applied through a first backing plate, beyond a pair of disposed first supporting wall surfaces, and further comprising:
holding the first document in intermediate relation of the first backing plate and the first supporting wall surfaces;
wherein (j) includes moving the second document against an opposing biasing force applied through a second backing plate, beyond a pair of disposed second supporting wall surfaces, and further comprising:
(l) holding the second document in intermediate relation of the second backing plate and the second supporting wall surfaces.
15. The method according to claim 14 wherein in (k) the first document is held in a first stack in intermediate relation of the first backing plate and the first supporting wall surfaces;
and wherein in (l) the second document is held in a second stack in intermediate relation of the second backing plate and second supporting wall surfaces.
16. The method according to claim 15 and further comprising:
(m) opening a lock controlling movement of at least one door covering the first storage location;
(n) subsequent to (m), moving the at least one door to an open position;
(o) subsequent to (n), removing the first stack from between the first backing plate and first supporting wall surfaces.
17. The method according to claim 13 wherein in (a) the first document comprises a first check and wherein in (f) the second document comprises a second check.
18. The method according to claim 13 wherein in (a) the first document comprises a check, and wherein in (f) the second document comprises a currency bill.
19. A method comprising:
(a) receiving a document in a cash dispensing ATM;
(b) sensing indicia on the document with at least one sensing device of the ATM;
(c) analyzing data corresponding to the indicia sensed on the document through operation of the ATM;
(d) subsequent to (b), moving the document in a transport of the ATM including a pair of disposed document supporting rails;
(e) moving the document into a storage location in the ATM, including engaging the document with a plunger member moving in a transverse direction between the rails, and including moving the document against an opposing biasing force applied through a backing plate, beyond a pair of disposed supporting wall surfaces; and
(f) holding the document in intermediate relation of the backing plate and the supporting wall surfaces.
20. The method according to claim 19 and subsequent to (e) and prior to (f), moving the plunger member in an opposed transverse direction.
21. The method according to claim 19 wherein in (f) the document is held in a stack in intermediate relation of the backing plate and the supporting wall surfaces, and further comprising:
(g) opening a lock controlling movement of at least one door covering the storage location;
(h) subsequent to (g), moving the at least one door;
(i) subsequent to (h), removing the document from the stack.
22. A method comprising:
(a) receiving a document in a cash dispensing ATM;
(b) sensing indicia on the document with at least one sensing device of the ATM;
(c) analyzing data corresponding to the indicia sensed on the document through operation of the ATM, including determining that the document should be stored in a storage location;
(d) subsequent to (b) moving the document in a transport of the ATM including a pair of disposed document supporting rails;
(e) moving the document into the storage location in the ATM, including engaging the document with a plunger member moving in a transverse direction between the rails, wherein the plunger member is moved responsive to the determination in (c).