Banking system that operates responsive to data read from data bearing records
View Patent ↗An automated banking machine operates to cause financial transfers responsive to data bearing records. The automated banking machine includes a card reader that is operative to read data from user cards corresponding to a financial account. The automated banking machine further includes a sheet accepting device that is operative to receive at least one of notes and checks. A note acceptor includes at least one validator that includes at least one ultrasonic detector. The at least one validator is operative to identify suspect counterfeit notes produced by assembling pieces of genuine notes by identifying seams or other fastening features in the notes where such pieces are joined. The note validator may further include image sensors and/or radiation transmission sensors which are further usable to identify the presence of seams or other fastening features that can distinguish valid and suspect counterfeit notes.
1. Apparatus comprising:
an automated banking machine that operates responsive at least in part, to data read from data bearing records, including:
a card reader, wherein the card reader is operative to read card data from a user card, wherein the card data corresponds to a financial account;
a note acceptor, wherein the note acceptor is operative to receive notes input to the automated banking machine by machine users, wherein the note acceptor includes at least one validator, wherein the at least one validator is operative to sense at least one property usable to distinguish between valid notes and suspect counterfeit notes;
at least one computer in the automated banking machine, wherein the at least one computer is in operative connection with the card reader and the note acceptor, and wherein the at least one computer is operative to cause financial transfers involving the financial account corresponding to the card data;
and wherein the at least one validator includes at least one ultrasonic detector, and wherein the at least one computer is operative to determine that a note received by the note acceptor is one of valid and suspect counterfeit responsive at least in part to at least one signal from the at least one ultrasonic detector.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the note acceptor includes a sheet path, and wherein the note moves in the sheet path;
and wherein the at least one ultrasonic detector includes at least one ultrasonic emitter on a first side of the sheet path and at least one ultrasonic receiver on a second side of the sheet path opposed of the first side;
whereby the at least one signal from the at least one ultrasonic detector corresponds to at least one ultrasonic signal that has passed through the note.
3. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the at least one ultrasonic detector includes a plurality of ultrasonic detectors;
and wherein the note moves along a note direction in the sheet path;
wherein the plurality of ultrasonic detectors are spaced transversely from one another relative to the note direction.
4. The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the plurality of ultrasonic detectors are further spaced from one another along the sheet path in the note direction.
5. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the at least one computer is operative to determine note density in an area of the note adjacent to the at least one ultrasonic detector.
6. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the at least one computer is operative to determine note thickness in an area of the note adjacent to the at least one ultrasonic detector.
7. The apparatus according to claim 6 and further comprising:
at least two orthogonal correlation filters, wherein the at least one computer is operative to determine note thickness responsive at least in part to operatively passing the at least one signal through the two orthogonal correlation filters.
8. The apparatus according to claim 2 and further comprising:
at least one data store in the automated banking machine, wherein the at least one data store is in operative connection with the at least one computer, and wherein the at least one data store includes counterfeit note data corresponding to at least one signal corresponding to at least one counterfeit note;
wherein the at least one computer is operative to determine the note as a suspect counterfeit note responsive at least in part to the at least one signal and the counterfeit note data.
9. The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the counterfeit note data corresponds to a note including at least one glued seam.
10. The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the counterfeit note data corresponds to a note including tape.
11. The apparatus according to claim 2 ,
wherein the at least one validator includes at least one image sensor, and wherein the at least one image sensor is operative to produce image data corresponding to visual appearance of at least one side of the note in the sheet path, and wherein the at least one computer is in operative connection with the at least one image sensor;
and wherein the at least one computer is operative to determine that the note is one of valid and suspect counterfeit responsive at least in part to the at least one signal and the image data.
12. The apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the at least one computer is operative responsive at least in part to the image data to identify at least one seam on the note, and wherein the at least one computer is operative to determine that the note is suspect counterfeit responsive at least in part to the at least one signal including at least one signal feature corresponding to a position of the at least one seam in the image data.
13. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the at least one validator includes at least one radiation transmission sensor, wherein the at least one radiation transmission sensor is operative to cause radiation to pass through the note in the sheet path, and wherein the at least one radiation transmission sensor is operative to produce radiation transmission data;
wherein the at least one computer is in operative connection with the at least one radiation transmission sensor, and wherein the at least one computer is operative to determine that the note is at least one of valid and suspect counterfeit responsive at least in part to the at least one signal and the radiation transmission data.
14. The apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the at least one computer is operative to determine responsive at least in part to the at least one signal and the radiation transmission data that the note includes a feature corresponding to a seam, and wherein the at least one computer is operative to determine the note is suspect counterfeit responsive at least in part to determination that the note includes the feature.
15. The apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the at least one computer is operative to determine responsive at least in part to the image data, at least two serial numbers on the note, and wherein the at least one computer is operative to compare the at least two serial numbers, and wherein the at least one computer is operative to determine that the note is one of valid and suspect counterfeit responsive at least in part to comparison of the at least two serial numbers.
16. The apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the at least one computer is operative to determine the note is suspect counterfeit responsive at least in part to the determination that the a least two serial numbers on the note are different.
17. The apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the at least one validator includes at least one radiation transmission sensor, wherein the at least one radiation transmission sensor is operative to cause radiation to pass through the note and to produce radiation transmission data responsive at least in part thereto;
and wherein the at least one radiation transmission sensor is in operative connection with the at least one computer, and wherein the at least one computer is operative to determine that the note is one of valid and suspect counterfeit responsive at least in part to the radiation transmission data, the image data and the at least one signal.
18. Apparatus comprising:
an automated banking machine operative to cause financial transfers involving accounts corresponding to data read from data bearing records,
including:
a card reader, wherein the card reader is operative to read card data from user cards, wherein the card data corresponds to user financial accounts,
a sheet acceptor, wherein the sheet acceptor is operative to move sheets input into the automated banking machine by machine users, wherein the sheet acceptor includes a sheet path, wherein single sheets received by the sheet acceptor move in the sheet path,
at least one sensor adjacent the sheet path,
at least one computer in operative connection with the at last one sensor,
wherein the at least one computer is operative responsive at least in part to the at least one sensor, wherein the at least one sensor senses a sheet in the sheet path, to determine if the sheet includes at least one seam at which discrete sheet pieces have been joined together,
wherein the at least one computer is operative responsive at least in part to the determination to output at least one signal.
19. The apparatus according to claim 18 ,
wherein the at least one sensor includes at least one ultrasonic emitter and at least one ultrasonic sensor.
20. The apparatus according to claim 19 ,
wherein the at least one sensor includes at least one image sensor,
wherein the at least one image sensor is operative to produce image data corresponding to an image of at least a portion of a sheet,
wherein the at least one ultrasonic sensor is operative to produce ultrasonic data corresponding to at least a portion of a sheet,
and wherein the at least one computer is operative to make the determination at least in part based on correlation between image data and ultrasonic data.
21. The apparatus according to claim 20 ,
wherein the sheet comprises a note,
wherein the at least one signal is indicative that the note is a suspect counterfeit note.
22. A method of operation of an apparatus including an automated banking machine operative to cause financial transfers involving accounts corresponding to data read from data bearing records, wherein the automated banking machine includes:
a card reader, wherein the card reader is operative to read card data from user cards, wherein the card data corresponds to user financial accounts,
a sheet acceptor, wherein the sheet acceptor is operative to move sheets input into the automated banking machine, wherein the sheet acceptor includes a sheet path, wherein single sheets received by the sheet acceptor move in the sheet path,
at least one ultrasonic detector adjacent the sheet path,
wherein at least one processor is in operative connection with the at last one ultrasonic detector, the method comprising:
a) determining through operation of the at least one ultrasonic detector, data representative of characteristics of a sheet in the sheet path;
b) through operation of the at least one processor responsive at least in part to the data determined in (a), determining that the sheet includes at least one seam; and
c) through operation of the at least one processor responsive at least in part to (b) outputting at least one signal.