Automated banking machine which dispenses, receives and stores notes and other financial instrument sheets
View Patent ↗An automated banking machine that operates responsive to data bearing records includes a card reader ( 16 ) operative to read data corresponding to financial accounts from user cards. An exemplary machine ( 10 ) includes a fascia ( 12 ) which extends on the outside of a wall ( 14 ) and includes a user interface ( 15 ). Responsive to user inputs through the user interface, the machine is operative to receive a stack of currency notes ( 84 ) from a user. Notes in a currency note stack can be evaluated through operation of a currency note validator device ( 88 ). Acceptable currency notes can be stored for recycling.
1. A method carried out through operation of an automated banking machine that operates responsive to data bearing records, comprising:
(a) moving a stack of financial instrument sheets in a first direction in a chute of an automated banking machine apparatus, wherein the automated banking machine includes a card reader operative to read card data from user cards, wherein the automated banking machine operates responsive to card data;
b) moving a first sheet bounding one side of the stack in the first direction by engaging the first sheet and at least one picking member;
c) imparting a transverse wave configuration to the first sheet moving in the first direction by engaging the first sheet between the at least one picking member and at least one non-contacting stripping member; and
d) moving the first sheet in engagement with the at least one picking member between the at least one picking member and at least one contacting stripping member, wherein prior to the first sheet moving between the at least one picking member and the at least one contacting stripping member, the at least one picking member and the at least one contacting stripping member are in biased abutting engagement.
2. The method according to claim 1 wherein (c) occurs prior to (d).
3. The method according to claim 2 and further comprising:
e) separating the first sheet from the stack through movement of the at least one picking member, and while the first sheet is engaged with the at least one non-contacting stripping member and the at least one contacting stripping member.
4. The method according to claim 3 and further comprising:
f) determining at least one characteristic of the first sheet after it is separated from the stack through operation of the machine.
5. The method according to claim 4 wherein the sheets include notes, and wherein the at least one characteristic is indicative of genuineness of notes, and further comprising:
g) responsive to the determination in (f), either directing the first sheet in to a chest portion in the machine if the determination in (f) indicates the first sheet is a genuine note, or directing the first sheet into a sheet storage area within the machine but outside the chest portion if the determination in (f) indicates the first sheet is not determined to be a genuine note.
6. The method according to claim 5 and further comprising:
subsequent to (e) and prior to (g), storing the first sheet temporarily in an escrow device in the machine.
7. The method according to claim 3 wherein the machine includes
a user interface including at least one input device,
wherein the at least one input device includes the card reader,
a plurality of notes stored in the chest portion, and
at least one note dispensing device adapted to dispense notes stored in the chest portion from the machine, and further comprising:
f) receiving at least one input from a user through at least one input device of the user interface; and
g) dispensing at least one note from the machine to the user through operation of the at least one note dispensing device responsive to the at least one input.
8. The method according to claim 1 wherein the at least one picking member comprises at least one cylindrical picking member, and wherein in (b) the first sheet is moved by rotating the at least one cylindrical picking member in a first rotational direction.
9. The method according to claim 8 , wherein in (b) the at least one cylindrical picking member operates to remove the entire first sheet from the stack with one circular revolution of the at least one cylindrical picking member.
10. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the at least one cylindrical picking member has a high friction arcuate segment on a portion of the circumference of the at least one cylindrical picking member, and wherein in (b) the first sheet moves in engagement with the high friction arcuate segment.
11. The method according to claim 1 , wherein in (d) the at least one contacting stripping member comprises at least one of a belt, a pad, a finger and a round member.
12. The method according to claim 1 , wherein in (c) the at least one non-contacting member comprises the at least one of a belt, a pad, a finger and a round member.
13. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:
e) prior to (c), operatively engaging a plurality of lower sheets adjacent a lower side of the stack of financial instrument sheets, and an idler roller positioned adjacent to the stack of financial instrument sheets, wherein the lower side of the stack is bounded by the first sheet, wherein engagement with the idler roller is operative to splay the plurality of cover sheets.
14. The method according to claim 13 , wherein the automated banking machine includes at least one controller,
and wherein in (a) the stack is moved into abutting relation with an engaging surface, wherein the engaging surface includes the idler roller, and wherein the stack is moved in operative engagement with at least one circular moving member, wherein the circular moving member selectively rotates responsive to at least one controller.
15. The method according to claim 14 , further comprising:
f) subsequent to (d), sensing through operation of at least one sensor, that the first sheet comprises multiple sheets.
16. The method according to claim 15 , further comprising:
g) responsive to (f) moving at least one of the at least one picking member, the idler roller, the at least one non-contacting stripping member, the at least one contacting stripping member and at least one circular moving member in a direction opposed to a direction the at least one sheet moves in (d), whereby the first sheet is moved back into the stack.
17. A method carried out through operation of an automated banking machine that operates responsive to data bearing records, comprising:
a) moving a stack of financial instrument sheets in a first direction within an automated banking machine, wherein the automated banking machine includes a card reader operative to read card data from user cards, wherein the automated banking machine operates responsive to card data;
b) moving a first sheet bounding one side of the stack in the first direction by engaging the first sheet and at least one picking member;
c) imparting a transverse wave configuration to the first sheet moving in the first direction by engaging the first sheet between the at least one picking member and at least one non-contact stripping member, wherein during (b) the at least one non-contact stripping member is never in direct contact with the at least one picking member; and
d) moving the first sheet in engagement with the at least one picking member between the at least one picking member and at least one contact stripping member, wherein prior to the first sheet moving between the at least one picking member and the at least one contact stripping member, the at least one picking member and at least one contact stripping member are in biased abutting engagement.
18. The method according to claim 17 wherein the at least one picking member comprises at least one cylindrical picking member portion, and wherein in (b) the first sheet is moved responsive to rotating the at least one cylindrical picking member portion in a first rotational direction.
19. The method according to claim 18 , wherein in (b) the at least one cylindrical picking member portion is operative to remove the entire first sheet from the stack with one circular revolution of the at least one cylindrical picking member portion.
20. A method carried out through operation of an automated banking machine that operates responsive to data bearing records, comprising:
a) moving a stack of financial instrument sheets in a first direction within an automated banking machine;
b) moving a first sheet bounding one side of the stack in the first direction by engaging the first sheet and at least one picking member, wherein the at least one picking member comprises a cylindrical picking member portion, wherein the first sheet is moved by rotating the cylindrical picking member portion in a first rotational direction, wherein the cylindrical picking member portion has a high friction arcuate segment on a portion of the circumference of the cylindrical picking member portion, and wherein the first sheet moves in engagement with the high friction arcuate segment;
c) imparting a transverse wave configuration to the first sheet moving in the first direction by engaging the first sheet between the at least one picking member and at least one non-contact stripping member, wherein during (b) the at least one non-contact stripping member is never in direct contact with the at least one picking member; and
d) moving the first sheet in engagement with the at least one picking member between the at least one picking member and at least one contact stripping member, wherein prior to the first sheet moving between the at least one picking member and the at least one contact stripping member, the at least one picking member and the at least one contact stripping member are in biased abutting engagement.