Self-service terminal

0001The present invention relates to a self-service terminal (SST), such as an automated teller machine (ATM). In particular, the invention relates to an SST adapted for bank note deposit as well as dispensing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

0002When bank notes are deposited at an ATM it is necessary to determine if the notes are legal or counterfeit. One process used in this determination is the taking of an image of each deposited note. This is achieved using a high resolution, at100 dot per inch (DPI) or greater camera system. In addition it is now a legal requirement, of some licensing authorities such as the European Central Bank, to be able to trace each deposited note back to the customer who deposited the note.

0003As every bank note carries a serial number, printed in substantially the same place with standard sized characteristics, it would seem ideal to use the imaging technology within the ATM to trace the notes. Each note can then be referred to the user who deposited the note. However, notes can be deposited, as customers demand, at very high speeds (greater than 5 notes per second). At this speed the recognition engine comprising the high resolution camera operates at closer to 40 DPI. This resolution is sufficient to recognize the image of a note, but it is not good enough to read a serial number off of a note.

0004Therefore, it would appear that in order to utilize imaging to trace notes to a user very much more expencive higher resolution cameras and optics will be required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

0005It is among the objects of an embodiment of the present invention to obviate or mitigate the above disadvantage or other disadvantages of prior art self-service terminals.

0006According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a self-service terminal comprising: a fascia having a note entry/exit slot; and a note processing module for processing notes deposited via the slot, the note processing module including a note transport mechanism for transporting notes between the slot and a note imaging means, the imaging means being arranged to scan the notes at a first speed, the transport mechanism including a loop arranged to transport notes through the imaging means a second time at a second speed, said first speed being greater than said second speed.

0007Preferably, the terminal comprises means for making a determination as to the validity of the note prior to imaging the note for a second time and wherein only notes that are considered to be invalid are imaged a second time.

0008Preferably, the terminal comprises a storage bin transport means arranged to transport imaged notes to the storage bin.

0009Preferably, the terminal further comprises a reject bin and transport means arranged to transport an imaged note to the reject bin if a determination is made that the note is invalid.

0010Alternatively, the terminal comprises an exit chute and transport means arranged to transport an imaged note back to the user if a determination is made that the note is invalid and the terminal determines that the user who deposited the note is still operating the terminal.

0011According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a note processing module including a note transport mechanism for transporting notes between the slot and a note imaging means, the imaging means being arranged to scan the notes at a first speed, the transport mechanism including a loop arranged to transport notes through the imaging means a second time at a second speed, said first speed being greater than said second speed.

0012According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of depositing a bank note, the method comprising the steps of: transporting a bank note between an entrance slot and a note imaging means, utilizing the imaging means to scan the notes at a first speed, transporting said notes through the imaging means a second time at a second speed, wherein said first speed is greater than said second speed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

0013These and other aspects of the present invention will be apparent from the following specific description, given by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: <ul id="ul0001" list-style="none"><li>Fig. 1 is a pictorial diagram of a self-service terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention;</li><li>Fig. 2 is a simplified schematic sectional diagram showing a part (the deposit module) of the terminal of Fig. 1;</li><li>Fig. 3 is a pictorial diagram of a part (the lower dispense area) of the terminal illustrated in Fig. 1;</li><li>Fig. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the steps involved in a deposit operation; and</li><li>Fig. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the steps involved in an alternative deposit operation.</li></ul>

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

0014Reference is first made to Fig. 1, which illustrates a self-service terminal 10 in the form of a deposit ATM. The ATM 10 comprises a fascia 12 pivotably coupled to a chassis (not shown); an upper panel 14 mounted to the chassis and defining an aperture 16 through which a camera (not shown) images a user of the ATM 10; and a lower panel 18 hingeably coupled to the chassis (not shown) so that the lower panel 18 can be opened to reveal a safe (not shown) mounted in the chassis (not shown).

0015When the lower panel 18 is open, the fascia 12 can be pivoted upwards to reveal ATM modules mounted within the chassis (not shown).

0016The fascia 12 and lower panel 18 provide a user interface 20 for allowing a user to execute a transaction. The fascia 12 includes a handset 30 and a telephone keypad 32 for allowing a user to contact a remote operator (not shown) typically located in a call center (not shown). The fascia 12 also includes an encrypting keyboard 34 for allowing a user to enter transaction details, and a display 36 for presenting screens to a user.

0017The fascia 12 also defines eight slots for receiving and dispensing media items, and a tray 40 into which coins can be dispensed. The slots include: a money order printer slot 42, a bunch note input slot 44, a bunch note exit slot 46, a statement output slot 48, a cash dispense slot 50, a card reader slot 52, a card issue slot 54, and a note input/output slot 56. The slots 42 to 56 and tray 40 are arranged so that when the fascia 12 is closed, the slots and tray align with corresponding ATM modules mounted within the ATM's chassis (not shown).

0018The user interface features described above are all provided on an NCR PERSONAS (trade mark) 5878 financial services center ATM, available from NCR Financial Solutions Group Limited, Discovery Center, 3 Fulton Road, Dundee, DD2 4SW, Scotland.

0019However, in this embodiment of the invention an NCR PERSONAS (trade mark) 5878 ATM has been modified to include a lower dispense area 58. The dispense area 58 is located beneath the note input/output slot 56 and is fed by a deposit module 60 located within the ATM chassis (not shown).

0020The deposit module 60 will now be described with reference to Fig.2 and Fig. 3. Fig. 2 is a simplified schematic sectional diagram (along line 2-2 in Fig. 1) showing part of the fascia 12 and lower panel 18, and the main parts of the module 60. Fig. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the main elements in the module 60.

0021The module 60 is a modified version of a conventional deposit module.

0022The module 60 comprises the following elements: a note input/output transport mechanism 70 including an alignment mechanism for aligning a note; a MICR head 72 for reading magnetic details on a code line of a note (if present); an imager 74 including an upper 74a and lower 74b CCD camera for capturing an image of each side of a note (front and rear); a printer 76 and a storage bin 78 for storing processed notes. The transport mechanism 70 includes two divert gates 80a, 80b for diverting notes to either a reject bin 82 or a chute bin 84. The elements (70 to 82) are conventional and will not be described in detail herein.

0023The module 60 also includes a controller 86 for controlling the operation of the elements (70 to 80) within the module 60.

0024The chute bin 84 includes a chute 88 in the form of a steep, sloping plastics guide arranged to deliver a note from the transport mechanism 70 to the dispense area 58 using the force of gravity.

0025The module 60 also includes an entrance shutter 90 for opening and closing the input/output slot 56, and a dispense area shutter 92 for allowing user access to the chute 88.

0026A typical transaction will now be described with reference to Fig. 4, which is a flowchart illustrating the steps involved, in one embodiment, in depositing a note.

0027Initially, a user enters an account card into the card reader slot 52, selects "deposit" from a list of transaction options presented on the display 36, and inserts the note to be deposited through the input/output slot 56 (step 100).

0028The module controller 30 opens the slot shutter 90 to receive the note, and transports the received note (step 110) to the imager 74 where both sides of the note are imaged (step 112).

0029A determination is then made as too the validity of the note (step 114). If the note is considered to be invalid then the note is transported around the loop 70A and scanned again at a lower speed than previously (step 116), allowing the camera to operate at or close to the 100DPI for which it was manufactured. In this way a clear image of the serial number on the note can be obtained. As this rescanning happens after the notes have validated the time taken does not impinge on deposit transaction times as witnessed by the user. During this process the same user can be accessing other ATM services or a subsequent user can be gaining access to the ATM services by entering his or her account card and PIN etc. in the usual manner. During this second scan the serial number of the note is imaged. After the first scan valid notes are transported to the storage bin 78 (Fig. 2) (step 118).

0030In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 5 the terminal is arranged to re-scan all deposited notes, without first making a determination as to the validity of the note. In all other ways the embodiment of Figure 5 is the same as that of Figure 4.

0031Various modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment within the scope of the invention. In addition, although the invention has been described in terms of bank notes other financial instruments such as cheques can be deposited in the same manner and the term "note" in the invention as claimed is intended to cover that possibility. Also, this document and related drawings refer to a single note acceptor. However, the invention will also apply to a bunch note acceptor with an ESCROW or some means of storing the notes.