Self-service terminal (SST) with media transfer device
View Patent ↗A Self-Service Terminal (SST) and a method of selectively dispensing or depositing items of media are disclosed. The SST includes a fascia panel comprising a panel portion having a circular arc-shaped cross-section and at least one panel aperture. The SST also includes at least one media transfer device comprising an outer body portion having a circular arc-shaped cross-section, proximate to and spaced apart from the panel portion, and at least one body aperture. The body portion is rotatable with respect to the curved panel portion to selectively reveal the body aperture through the panel aperture.
1. A Self-Service Terminal (SST), comprising:
a fascia panel comprising a panel portion having a circular arc-shaped cross-section and at least one panel aperture; and
at least one media transfer device comprising an outer body portion having a circular arc-shaped cross-section, proximate to and spaced apart from the panel portion, and at least one body aperture; wherein
the body portion is rotatable with respect to the curved panel portion to selectively reveal the body aperture through the panel aperture; and wherein
the media transfer device comprises a drum element comprising a substantially hollow cylindrical body closed at a first and further end thereof and rotatable about a respective longitudinal axis of rotation, said outer body portion comprising a region of the outer surface of the cylindrical body, the outer body portion comprises at least two further body apertures and at least item support surface wherein the two further body apertures are aligned when the drum element is at a still further rotation position to thereby provide an item pathway from said panel aperture to a pair of opposed grip rollers of the SST.
2. The SST as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising:
the media transfer device comprises a card reader housing supporting a user card reader device, and a front panel secured to the housing comprising said outer body portion, said housing being rotatable about a respective axis of rotation to rotate the outer body portion therewith.
3. The SST as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising:
the panel portion and said body portion are manufactured from a tamper resistant material, wherein when the body aperture of the media transfer device is not aligned with the panel aperture, a remainder region of the outer body portion closes the panel aperture to unauthorized access.
4. The SST as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising:
when the at least one media transfer device comprises a plurality of media transfer devices, each media transfer device is arranged to rotate together and/or separately about a common axis of rotation, said common axis comprising a centre of an imaginary circle including the circular arc of each respective body portion.
5. The SST as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising:
the transfer device further comprises a pair of opposed clamping elements supported in the cylindrical body that move apart and close together as the drum element is rotated to receive items of media therebetween when apart at at least one rotation position and present items of media from therebetween when apart and aligned with said panel aperture at a further rotation position.
6. The SST as claimed in claim 5 , further comprising:
the opposed clamping elements are locatable together towards said panel aperture when the drum element is at said further rotation position.
7. The SST as claimed in claim 5 , further comprising:
the opposed clamping elements comprise a pair of clamp plates that are secured together at respective first ends thereof and open and close at respective further ends thereof automatically as the drum member rotates.
8. The SST as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the SST is an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) and each item of media comprises a currency note.