IP Library Granted Patent US 12,340,646
Granted Patent B2
US 12,340,646 · App. 18/140,696 · Granted Jun 24, 2025

Media handling device module alignment

Inventor: Jamie Stewart (Dundee, GB)
Assignee: NCR Atleos Corporation
G07D11/237G06Q20/18G07D11/40G07F19/201G07F19/202G07F19/203G07F19/209B65H2402/10B65H2402/60G07D11/00G07D2211/00
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,340,646
App. No.
18/140,696
Granted
Jun 24, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

Sensors are mounted to surfaces of an intermediate module and a lower module of a media handling device. The sensors report to firmware and the firmware determines whether the lower module is in proper alignment with the intermediate module based on the reported sensor data. A spring plunger is configured with sufficient tension to push the lower module into alignment and a motorized latch controlled by the firmware is configured to pull the lower module into alignment and/or assist the spring plunger in pushing the lower module into alignment. In an embodiment, a lid and a lid alignment rail apparatus is provided to ensure a lid of the lower module is properly latched, aligned, and unlatched.

Claims (59)

1. A media recycler or dispenser, comprising:

an intermediate transport module;

a lower transport module;

sensors to provide alignment data relevant to whether the intermediate transport module is aligned with the lower transport module;

a motorized latch affixed to the lower transport module; and

a processor coupled to the sensors to:

determine from the alignment data whether the intermediate transport module is aligned with the lower transport module or not; and

control the motorized latch to move the lower transport module into alignment with the intermediate transport module based on the alignment data.

2. The media recycler or dispenser of claim 1 further comprising:

a spring plunger with a configured tension to assist moving the lower transport module in a given direction for alignment.

3. The media recycler or dispenser of claim 1 , wherein the lower transport module comprises:

a lid to a top of the lower transport module, wherein the lid comprises an aperture and a slit leading to the aperture in a bottom of a side of the lid; and

a lid rail latch apparatus comprising:

a spring plunger;

a rail adapted to hold the spring plunger;

wherein the lid rail latch apparatus adapted to be inserted through the aperture and the slit and to latch the lid to the top of the lower transport module.

4. The media recycler of dispenser of claim 3 , wherein the lid is unlatched when the lid rail latch apparatus is completely removed from the aperture and the slit of the lid permitting the lid to be separated from the top of the lower transport module.

5. The media recycler or dispenser of claim 1 , wherein the sensors comprise:

a first sensor mounted to a bottom of the intermediate transport module;

a second sensor mounted to a top of the intermediate transport module; and

a distance sensor mounted to a side of the lower transport module.

6. The media recycler or dispenser of claim 1 , wherein the sensors comprise:

a pair of sensors mounted to a bottom of the lower transport module.

7. The media recycler or dispenser of claim 1 , wherein the motorized latch comprises a motor and a latch controlled by the motor.

8. The media recycler or dispenser of claim 1 , wherein the media recycler or dispenser is a peripheral device of a terminal.

9. The media recycler or dispenser of claim 8 , wherein the terminal is an automated teller machine, a self-service terminal, or a point-of-sale terminal.

10. The media recycler or dispenser of claim 1 further comprising:

a safe module comprising the lower transport module and media cassettes.

11. A terminal, comprising:

a terminal processor to perform media transactions;

first peripherals for performing the media transactions; and

a media handling device peripheral to handle deposited media and dispensed media during the media transactions at the terminal, wherein the media handling device comprises:

an intermediate transport module;

a lower transport module;

sensors to report alignment data between the intermediate transport module and the lower transport module; and

a processor coupled to the sensors to:

determine whether the intermediate transport module is aligned with the lower transport module using the alignment data provided by the sensors; and

control a motorized latch to move the lower transport module into alignment with the intermediate transport module based on the alignment data.

12. The terminal of claim 11 , wherein the terminal is an automated teller machine, a self-service terminal, or a point-of-sale terminal.

13. The terminal of claim 11 , wherein media handling device further includes a safe module, and the safe module includes the lower transport module and media cassettes.

14. The terminal of claim 11 , wherein the media handling device further includes a spring plunger with a configured tension to assist moving the lower transport module in a given direction for alignment.

15. The terminal of claim 11 , wherein the lower transaction module comprises:

a lid to a top of the lower transport module, wherein the lid comprises an aperture and a slit leading to the aperture in a bottom of a side of the lid; and

a lid rail latch apparatus comprising:

a spring plunger;

a rail adapted to hold the spring plunger;

wherein the lid rail latch apparatus adapted to be inserted through the aperture and the slit and to latch the lid to the top of the lower transport module.

16. The terminal of claim 11 , wherein the sensors comprise:

a first sensor mounted to a bottom of the intermediate transport module;

a second sensor mounted to a top of the intermediate transport module; and

a distance sensor mounted to a side of the lower transport module.

17. The terminal of claim 11 , wherein the sensors comprise:

a pair of sensors mounted to a bottom of the lower transport module.

18. The terminal of claim 11 , wherein the media handling device is a recycler or a dispenser.

19. A method, comprising:

receiving sensor data from sensors mounted on an intermediate transport module and a lower transport module of a media handing device;

determining the lower transport module is out of alignment with the intermediate transport module based on the sensor data; and

controlling a motorized latch affixed to the lower transport module to move the lower transport module into alignment with the intermediate transport module using second sensor data provided from the sensors.

20. The method of claim 19 , wherein controlling further includes placing a motor associated with the motorized latch in neutral when the lower transport module needs pushed in a given direction to achieve alignment allowing a spring plunger to move the lower transport module into alignment.

Assignments (7)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE THE PROPERTIES SECTION BY INCLUDING IT WITH TEN PREVIOUSLY OMITTED PROPERTY NUMBERS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 65346 FRAME 367. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY INTEREST. Recorded Aug 13, 2025
From: NCR ATLEOS CORPORATION; CARDTRONICS USA, LLC
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 072445/0072 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded May 20, 2024
From: NCR CORPORATION
To: NCR VOYIX CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 067464/0595 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 20, 2024
From: NCR VOYIX CORPORATION
To: NCR ATLEOS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 067464/0882 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 31, 2024
From: STEWART, JAMIE
To: NCR CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 066307/0375 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE DOCUMENT DATE AND REMOVE THE OATH/DECLARATION (37 CFR 1.63) PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 065331 FRAME: 0297. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY INTEREST. Recorded Oct 31, 2023
From: NCR ATLEOS CORPORATION
To: CITIBANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 065627/0332 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 25, 2023
From: NCR ATLEOS CORPORATION; CARDTRONICS USA, LLC
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 065346/0367 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 24, 2023
From: NCR ATLEOS CORPORATION
To: CITIBANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 065331/0297 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20240362965A1 · Oct 31, 2024
References Cited (5)
US 6516998B2 · Calder · 2003 [cited by examiner]
US 8127985B1 · Kolinski-schultz · 2012 [cited by applicant]
EP 1307859 · 2005 [cited by applicant]
EP 2015260 · 2009 [cited by applicant]
EP 1843303 · 2016 [cited by applicant]