Multidirectional media dispensing self service terminal
View Patent ↗Embodiments of a system and method for multidirectional dispensing of media at a self-service terminal (SST) are generally described herein. A method for dispensing media at a SST may include rotationally pivoting a first arm of a media dispenser of the SST away from a second arm of the media dispenser to receive media in a first direction, and activating a first set of rollers of the first arm to dispense the media in a second direction, the second direction at an angle generally orthogonal to the first direction.
1. A media dispenser comprising:
a media store operable to store a plurality of media items in sheet form;
a pick unit operable to pick media items from the media store;
an intermediate staging area coupled to the pick unit by a first transport, the first transport being operable to convey a picked media item from the pick unit to the intermediate staging area; and
a second transport operable to convey media from the intermediate staging area to a customer delivery area by moving the media in a direction transverse to the first transport, wherein the intermediate staging area includes a first arm and a second arm, the first arm initially closed against the second arm, wherein the first arm is configured to rotationally pivot with respect to the second arm to open to receive the picked media item from the first transport, wherein, after receiving the picked media item, the first arm is configured to rotationally pivot with respect to the second arm to close, securing the picked media item against the second arm.
2. A media dispenser according to claim 1 , wherein the first transport is longer than the second transport.
3. A media dispenser according to claim 1 , wherein the first transport includes a diverter such that incorrectly picked media items are be diverted to a reject area within the media dispenser instead of being conveyed to the intermediate staging area.
4. A media dispenser according to claim 1 , wherein the intermediate staging area comprises a fixed guide and a movable guide, the moveable guide comprising an upper guide above the fixed guide or a lower guide below the fixed guide.
5. A media dispenser according to claim 4 , wherein the movable guide comprises a pivoting guide.
6. A media dispenser according to claim 4 , wherein the movable guide comprises a guide movable parallel to the fixed guide by linkages.
7. A media dispenser according to claim 4 , wherein each guide comprises one or more endless belts and skid plates, and the guides abut a final transport in alignment therewith for connecting the intermediate staging area to the customer delivery area such that media items in the intermediate staging area may be conveyed from the intermediate staging area to the customer delivery area via the final transport.