CN100354901C - Automated transaction machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The automatic transaction machine (10) includes a money receiving and distributing mechanism (77). The mechanism includes a storage reel (66), a take-up reel (68) and a fabric strip (70) extending between the reels. The currency receiving and distributing mechanism is placed in the currency storage unit (44). Currency is selectively passed into and out of the storage assembly to the access area (92). The machine also includes a currency inlet hole (30) and an outlet hole (28). The currency export delivery mechanism (96) extends between the channel area and the currency outlet hole. The money inlet delivery mechanism (98) extends between the channel area and the money inlet hole. A currency validator (58) extends adjacent to the currency inlet transport mechanism to verify the validity of currency within the machine. The machine selectively receives and dispenses currency in response to input signals.

Description

automatic trading machine

This application is a divisional application with the application number "99813543.7", the application date being "November 15, 1999", and the title "Automatic Trading Machine".

technical field

The present invention relates to automated transaction machines. More particularly, the present invention relates to an automatic transaction machine which dispenses currency to users and which has an internal currency storage area which can be continuously replenished without access to the interior of the machine.

Background technique

Automatic trading machines are known in the art. One type of automated transaction machine is known as an automated teller machine or automated teller machine (ATM). After development, ATM can now carry out a variety of transaction activities including allotment of currency. Other types of transaction machines are capable of dispensing currency and other types of orders to personnel such as bank tellers, treasurers, and other service providers. Still other automatic transaction machines dispense items such as tickets, travelers checks, value houses, vouchers or gaming materials. When distributing these materials, the automatic transaction machine performs proper evaluation of the debit and credit of the accounts of the user, the owner of the transaction machine, and the provider of the distributed materials. For the purposes of this specification, an automated transaction machine will be considered to be any machine that can conduct transactions, including value transfers.

Dispensing currency or other types of notes representing value are usually made to prevent unauthorized or authorized persons from accessing the notes supplied in the machine. In most cases, such automated transaction machines include a safe or other safe enclosure. Access to the safe box or box is controlled by a lock or other security device so that only relevant personnel can access its interior. The interior of the safe box typically includes a storage area for currency or other types of valuables. The storage area is often an internally accessible box, can or other type of box with a sealed lid that can be easily stored in or removed from the machine when the safe area is accessed . The bill is distributed to the user from the bill storage area by the machine. When the storage area needs to be replenished, one serves and opens the safe box, and the box is replenished. In some cases, when refilling, the used or partially used case is removed first, and the replenished case is put back in. In other cases, when supplementing, a large stack of currency or bills like a "brick" is inserted into a box or other bill storage area to replenish bills or currency.

A structural disadvantage of this prior art automatic trading machine is the need to open the safety zone of the machine when replenishing the order. This gives service personnel access to all valuable orders and sensitive electronics inside the machine. This provides opportunities for theft and tampering. When a box is being changed, several people may have access to the box during loading, shipping, and installation. Likewise, partially used boxes may pass through several hands as they come out of the machine for replenishment. This can provide an opportunity for theft and responsibility is hard-to-document and clear. Cases with tamper-resistant and tamper-display sheets have been developed, but such cases are not automatically secure either, and seasoned thieves can still work their tricks. Boxes containing slips risk being stolen in their entirety as they are fed into and out of the machine. Such currency boxes are also expensive to use, since the use of such boxes requires the inclusion of means to open, close and operate the box containing the slips and, along with the box itself, increases the cost of the automated transaction machine. Handling and transporting the boxes also adds to the cost of running the machine.

The lower-priced automatic transaction machines are often installed in gas stations, convenience stores and other commercial establishments, and these automatic transaction machines often only carry out cash distribution transactions. While such reduced-function machines reduce the cost of obtaining such machines, the problem of processing orders remains. Because the environmental security of such commercial institutions is often not as high as that of banks and other institutions, this type of machine often needs to use armed delivery vehicles to carry out cash replenishment and other tasks, which also increases the cost of machine operation.

The owner or operator of an automated transaction machine in a commercial establishment wishes to be able to resupply the machine with cash within the establishment. Because in this way, it is possible to avoid the need to pay a third party for cash replenishment, thereby reducing the cost of business operation. In many commodity trading environments, however, the trustworthiness of personnel may not be verifiable, and thus the owner or operator of the machine may not want ordinary personnel to have access to large amounts of cash within the automated transaction machine. Replenishment of cash may be restricted to higher levels of management. However, despite such precautions, shortages and errors can still occur. Especially when several people have access to the inside of the machine, this problem is more prominent.

In recent years, an automated transaction machine that can "recycle" currency has been developed. This machine can accept currency from users or operators, distinguish its authenticity, and distinguish the type of each currency. The machine can selectively store currency at different locations within the machine. Later, when the same or another user wants the machine to dispense money, the machine dispenses the previously deposited money to the user. While such machines can replenish the currency supply without access to the inside of the machine, such machines are often complex and expensive. Installing this kind of machine may not be worth the loss, that is to say, it is not worth the relatively low cost of the currently used machine that is only equipped with cash.

There are many other user-operated self-service and vending machines that have been improved by adding the functionality of the machine to accept and dispense money. The most common examples of such machines are motor vehicle fuel pumps, vending machines, ticket vending machines, and gaming machines. Often such machines have a user interface that reads the user's credit card. Such machines can also assess whether a user's account is sufficient to pay for goods purchased or services rendered. Moreover, some self-service machines also have the ability to accept user smart cards. The smart card includes a memory in which data representative of the currency value is stored. Therefore, instead of assessing the user's ability to pay, the machine simply subtracts the user's payable from the value-representing data stored in the memory of the user's smart card.

The ability to accept cash and dispense is generally not available in most self-service and vending machines for a number of reasons: First, cash dispensing and accepting mechanisms have historically been very expensive and difficult to purchase and use. Second, such machines typically do not include the security features found in automated teller machines (ATMs) or cash dispensers because the items dispensed by such machines are not easily handled in cash value, and third, due to these The machine is not capable of accepting and dispensing cash, and doing so would require the machine operator to incur the additional expense of cash handling as described above, which is often encountered in the use of ATMs and cash dispensers. Another disadvantage is that making such machines capable of receiving and dispensing cash may restrict their use to selected times and places where greater security can be maintained. Thus, while users benefit from the ability to accept and dispense cash in cash from motor vehicle fuel dispensing pumps and vending machines, etc., the cost of providing these capabilities to these machines is prohibitively high.

A need therefore exists for an automated transaction machine that is relatively inexpensive to produce and operate, yet highly reliable. There is also a need for an automatic transaction machine that can be replenished with currency or other items of value without access to a storage area within the machine. There is also a need for an automatic transaction machine which includes a means for receiving and dispensing currency which adds only a limited cost to the production and operation of the machine.

Disclosure of the present invention

The object of the present invention is to provide an automatic transaction machine.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic transaction machine capable of dispensing orders of value, such as currency.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an automatic transaction machine which dispenses currency in a currency storage area of the machine and which can be replenished with currency without accessing the interior of the machine.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic transaction machine which can replenish the money supply without accessing the interior of the machine and which is constructed so that the money supply can be replenished from either the front or the rear of the machine.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an automated transaction machine which is economical to manufacture and operate.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic transaction machine capable of receiving, authenticating and dispensing orders such as currency.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic transaction machine which can add the function of receiving and dispensing money to vending machines or machines providing self-service as their auxiliary functions.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic transaction machine capable of dispensing money from a money storage area inside the machine, and the money inside the machine can be easily withdrawn by authorized personnel.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic transaction machine which is easily operated by the user and which can provide timely promotional items or other information to the user of the machine.

Other objects of the present invention will be clearly explained in the following best mode of carrying out the present invention and appended claims.

The above stated objects are achieved in an exemplary embodiment of an automated transaction machine. The automated transaction machine may be a machine whose primary function is to receive and/or dispense orders such as currency. Or the automatic transaction machine may function such as a machine for selling motor vehicle fuel, lottery tickets, transit souvenirs, or other transactions, and may include an automatic transaction machine that dispenses and/or receives orders of value, such as currency.

In an exemplary embodiment, the automated transaction machine includes a machine housing. The housing includes a user interface area comprising at least one input device through which the machine can receive at least one input from a user of the machine. A cell inlet aperture extends through the housing as does the cell outlet aperture.

Within the housing of the machine is a currency receiving and dispensing mechanism. The currency receiving and dispensing mechanism is operatively connected to an order storage area which, in the described embodiment, is used to store currency. The currency or bill receiving and dispensing mechanism includes a lane area through which bills pass as they are received by the mechanism for deposit in the storage area. When orders are dispensed by the facility from the storage area, orders also pass through this aisle area.

The described embodiment also includes a money inlet transport mechanism extending between the money inlet aperture and the channel. A currency validator is positioned proximate to the currency entry delivery mechanism. The currency validator can detect currency inserted through the entry aperture to determine whether the currency is valid. The machine also includes a currency outlet transport mechanism extending through the housing between the channel and the outlet aperture. The machine also includes one or more drive mechanisms which are operatively connected to the import and export transport mechanisms and which selectively move currency or other orders within the machine.

The automatic transaction machine of the embodiment also includes a controller. The controller is connected with the validator and the drive of the entrance and exit conveying mechanism, and the controller is also connected with the input device and the validator in operation. The controller controls the machine so that currency or other orders stored in the storage area are dispensed by the mechanism and moved through the exit transport mechanism to the exit aperture in response to at least one input signal from the input device. The controller may also be operatively responsive to insertion of currency or other bills into the entry aperture to cause the validator to determine whether the inserted currency is valid. If valid, the currency is accepted by the receiving and distributing agency for storage in the storage area.

The automatic transaction machine of the present invention is constructed to both receive money from customers and deliver money to customers, and credit accordingly. Alternatively, embodiments of the present invention may be configured to dispense currency only to customers operating the machines. In these embodiments, receipt of currency is limited to persons authorized to replenish currency to the machine on behalf of the machine owner or operator. Other machine configurations allow for the money inlet and outlet openings to be located on one side of the machine, or to provide such inlet and outlet openings on opposite sides of the machine. Some forms of the invention can be constructed so that slips can only be accepted one at a time from the currency entry aperture and some machines can be constructed to accept stacks of slips which are then separated, authenticated and stored within the machine.

In some exemplary forms of the invention, the currency receiving and dispensing mechanism may comprise a rolling storage type mechanism. The rolling storage mechanism includes a flexible fabric strip extending between storage reels and a take-up (take-up) reel. The storage and take-up reels are driven by a reel drive mechanism that selectively moves the reels to send or receive orders to or from the lane area. In some embodiments, the storage and take-up reels are contained within a currency storage assembly that can be easily installed into and removed from the machine by authorized persons. Some preferred forms of the invention are highly reliable but relatively inexpensive to produce and operate.

Other preferred forms of the invention include an interface having a display. The display is used to provide promotional or other information to a user of the machine. Such information may be time-sensitive and/or short-lived. In the preferred mode of the invention, such information is provided by the controller interacting with an interchangeable plug-in memory of a smart card or similar device. The present invention can also provide various forms of user interface to make operation of the automated transaction machine simple and easy.

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1 is an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of an automated transaction machine of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a rear plan view of the machine shown in Figure 1 with one of the access doors open.

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a controller of the automatic transaction machine, some transaction function devices and other devices in their operational connection.

Fig. 4 is a transparent side view of a mechanism for processing orders such as currency in the automatic transaction machine shown in Fig. 1 .

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing components included in an order path of the automatic transaction machine shown in FIG. 1 .

Figure 6 is a schematic illustration of the reel drive mechanism operating in the order dispense direction to move the storage and take-up reels.

Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of the first and second driving elements of the reel driving mechanism and the transmission element connecting these driving elements.

Figure 8 is a schematic view similar to Figure 7 with the reel drive mechanism operating to move the storage reel and take-up reel in the direction of receiving orders.

Figure 9 is a simplified side view of components for processing orders in the machine lane area.

Figure 10 is an enlarged view of the channel area including first and second sheet separators for separating sheets from the sheet support fabric strip.

Figure 11 is a schematic side view of a gate member for guiding sheets between the entry and exit transport mechanisms in the channel area.

Figure 12 is a schematic side view of the second separator and its suspension on the currency storage assembly.

Figure 13 is a schematic side view of a directional resistance applying member for use with a storage and take-up reel.

Figure 14 shows a projection on the currency storage assembly engaging a cylindrical support.

Figure 15 is an isometric view of the cylindrical support shown in Figure 14 .

Figure 16 is an isometric view of a flexible currency support fabric having machine readable indicia thereon, showing currency being supported on the support fabric.

Figure 17 shows a schematic side view of the movement of components of the order handling mechanism when the machine is delivering orders.

Figure 18 is a schematic side view showing the movement of the bill processing mechanism when the currency validator determines whether an inserted currency is valid.

Figure 19 is a schematic diagram showing a currency passing through the currency validator to the passage area.

Figure 20 is a schematic diagram showing the slip handling mechanism moving a currency through the passage area and in supporting connection with the fabric belt and slip storage reel.

Figure 21 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the automatic transaction machine of the present invention, the machine including a common currency inlet and outlet transport mechanism connected to the currency validator.

Figure 22 is a schematic view of another embodiment having a currency inlet opening on the opposite side from the currency outlet opening.

Figure 23 is a schematic illustration of an automated transaction machine capable of receiving and separating a stack of currency.

Figure 24 is a schematic illustration of a mechanism for separating individual notes from the stack of notes in the embodiment shown in Figure 23.

25-30 are schematic diagrams of user interfaces and their operation that may be used in various embodiments of the present invention.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to an automated transaction machine generally indicated at 10 in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. The machine 10 in the figure is an automatic transaction machine, and its main function is; Dispensing and receiving currency. It must be understood, however, that other embodiments of the invention may be machines whose primary functions include conducting other types of transactions. These machines may include, for example, dispensing motor vehicle fuel, dispensing tickets, dispensing vouchers, dispensing gaming materials or other functions that a user may perform with the machine.

Machine 10 includes a housing 12 . Here, the housing 12 refers to the outer shell of the machine and the internal structure within which the components of the machine are supported. A user interface, indicated at 14 in the figure, is supported on the housing and is accessible to the user. In the illustrated embodiment, the user interface includes input means and output means. One of the input devices is a card reader 16 . The card reader 16 shown is a stripe card reader which reads a magnetic stripe card 18 fed through the reader by a customer. The card 18 can be a card of various forms, such as a credit card or a debit card, etc., and the card contains information used to verify the identity of the user and/or his account.

The user interface 14 of the described embodiment also includes other input devices. These input devices include a keyboard 20 and function keys 22 . The user can input data and commands to the machine by selectively pressing the keys constituting the keyboard and the function keys 22 .

The user interface 14 also includes an output device having a display 24 . The display 24 of the illustrated embodiment may be a CRT (cathode ray tube) or LCD (liquid crystal display) type display. It can display information to a user, and the information includes information guiding the user to operate the machine.

It should be understood that the input and output devices shown are by way of example only and that other types of input and output devices may be used in other embodiments of the invention. These include, for example, other types of card readers for reading magnetic stripe or other types of cards. These include, for example, motorized readers or reach readers. Other types of cards can also be used with this machine. These cards include so-called "smart cards", which have a programmable memory in which data is stored. The data can include information about users and their accounts, as well as information representing monetary values. When the card is used for shopping, the money for the purchased goods can be subtracted from the memory. Some cards can be topped up periodically. There are other available input devices that can read objects, such as objects encoded with optical tags, which can be used to authenticate users and their accounts. Other available input devices include biometric reading devices such as fingerprint readers, retinal scanners, iris scanners, speech recognition devices or other inputs that can provide an input that identifies a specific user and/or their account device.

The keyboard and function keys used as input devices in the exemplary embodiment may in other embodiments be replaced by other types of input devices that selectively accept user data or commands. Other types of output devices may also be used. These devices include other visual and non-visual output devices as long as they convey information to the user and instruct the user to operate the machine. Of course, when the automated transaction machine of the present invention is combined with other devices that perform other functions, other types of input devices associated with performing those other functions may also be included. For example when the machine of the present invention is combined with a motor vehicle fuel dispensing device, the input means may include switches and controls for controlling the dispensing of motor vehicle fuel. The specific additional device depends on what environment the present invention is used in.

Returning now to the description of the machine 10 shown in FIG. 1 , the housing includes a receipt aperture 26 . The receipt opening is used to provide the user with a printed receipt for transactions performed on the machine. The housing also includes a currency outlet opening 28 . The money outlet hole 28 is used to dispense money from the machine to the user. It should be understood that the currency exit hole may also be referred to herein as a monadic exit hole. In an embodiment of the invention, in addition to currency, orders may also be accepted and dispensed from the machine.

The machine 10 also includes a currency entry aperture 30 . The currency inlet hole 30 is used to insert currency or other types of bills into the machine for storage. As indicated by the dotted lines, in some embodiments the currency entry hole 30 may be covered by a removable cover 32 so that outsiders cannot access it. Cover 32 is selectively locked by a suitable locking mechanism 34 . The cover may be used where the machine operator allows only selected authorized personnel to insert currency into the machine for storage. For example where the machine operator only wants the user to use the machine as a cash dispenser. In some embodiments, the cover may provide a currency support surface or currency support structure such as a pocket to facilitate the user of the machine to store dispensed currency when the cover is in the closed position.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the housing of the machine also includes a connecting piece 36 . The connector releasably receives a plug-in storage element 38 . A plug-in memory element is shown for storing information to be presented to the user of the machine via the display 24 . As will be discussed later, the plug-in memory element 38 stores promotional information which will be timely displayed to the user of the machine. Such promotional information includes, for example, discounted sales of certain commodities or special offers that will expire on a certain date. In a preferred embodiment, the plug-in memory 38 may be supported on a smart card. One or more promotional items may be included in the memory, and the promotional time may be limited to certain hours in a day or a few days in a week or only in certain periods of time. The use of this feature will be described in detail later.

FIG. 2 shows the back of machine 10 . The housing 12 of the machine includes an access door 40 . In Figure 2 this door has been opened. The access door 40 has a locking mechanism 42 . The locking mechanism 42 normally holds the access door 40 in a closed position. The locking mechanism 42 can be opened by authorized persons to gain access to the interior of the machine.

The interior of the machine includes various components, which are shown schematically in the figure. Such components may include, for example, a currency storage assembly 44 . As will be described in detail later, the currency storage unit 44 includes a currency storage area for storing currency in the machine. This money storage assembly 44, as long as convenient door 44 is opened, just can take out or put into the inside of the machine easily. Other components within the housing may include a journal device 46 . The journaling means 46 may be, for example, a journal printer which records transactions made by the machine in permanent hard copy form. Other devices within the machine may include a communication device 48 . The communication device may be, for example, a modem, wireless transmitter, dedicated line interface connection, or other device suitable for communicating with another computer for conducting transactions with the machine of the present invention. Such other computers may include, for example, computers in the debit card network capable of processing transaction information and settlement between the user, the source of money, and the operator of the machine. Another device shown schematically within the machine in FIG. 2 is a receipt printer 50 . The printer 50 can print a receipt, which is dispensed through the receipt opening 26 to the customer.

FIG. 3 schematically shows the electrically controlled devices included in this embodiment of the machine 10 . A controller 52 is used to control the electrical devices within the machine. Controller 52 includes an internal clock device 54 . The controller is operatively associated with a memory 56 . Memory 56 is also referred to herein as data memory. In embodiments, the controller 52 may include one or more processors or operatively connected computers that serve as sources of electrical signals for devices operatively connected to the controller.

As shown in Fig. 3, the controller communicates with the aforementioned transaction function device. These functional devices include card reader 16 , keypad and function keys 20 and 22 and display 24 . The controller also controls the receipt printer 30 and journal device 46 . Here, the journal device is a journal printer. The controller is also in operative communication with the plug-in memory 38 and the communication device 48 . The communication device is used to communicate with other devices. In the depicted embodiment, the controller 52 is also in operative communication with other devices. These means include, for example, a currency validator 58 which will be described in detail hereinafter. The validator is used to verify the currency to determine its validity and to distinguish whether the currency inserted into the machine is valid or invalid. The controller 52 is also operatively connected to an assembly drive 60 and a transport drive 62, which are the control circuits for the motors that move currency within the machine. They will be described in detail below. It should be understood that the above transaction function devices are exemplary and that in other embodiments of the invention different and/or additional types of transaction function devices may be included.

Figure 4 shows an order processing mechanism for storing and dispensing currency within the machine. This list processing mechanism is generally represented by numeral 64 in the figure. It includes a currency storage assembly 44 which has been said to be removably mounted within the housing of the machine. The currency storage assembly includes a storage reel 66 which is rotatably mounted within the storage assembly and is in supporting connection with the housing of the machine. A take-up (take-up) reel 68, which in the preferred embodiment is identical to the storage reel, is also rotatably mounted within the machine. A flexible fabric strip 70 extends between the storage reel and the receiving reel.

The currency storage assembly of the illustrated embodiment includes a reel drive mechanism 72 thereon. The reel drive mechanism selectively drives either the storage reel 66 or the take-up reel 68, the manner of operation of which will be described later.

The currency storage unit 44 also includes a driver 74 therein. The driver is operatively connected to a movable locking member 76 . The locking member 76 is movable by the driver 74 between two positions in which the storage reel is rotatable and in the other position the locking member holds the rotatable storage reel relative to the currency storage assembly 44. Relatively fixed position. This is achieved in the locked position of the locking member by co-engaging projections and recesses on the locking member and storage reel, indicated schematically at 78 in the Figures.

Driver 74 is electrically connected to controller 52 via a releasable connector 80 . The controller 52 serves as a source of electrical signals which typically drive the drives which cause the storage reel 66 to move when the storage reel 66 is properly positioned within the machine. When the currency storage assembly is in the machine and the releasable connector 80 connects the drive 74 to an electrical signal source, the lock and the protrusions and recesses of the reel are disengaged allowing the reel to move. This feature helps to ensure that the currency storage reel, which is the currency storage area, is in a fixed position relative to the assembly when the currency storage assembly is removed from the machine. This makes it more difficult for unauthorized persons to remove money from the money storage unit after it has been removed from the machine.

The currency storage assembly 44 is supported within the machine by projections 82 . The protruding portion 82 includes a semicircular opening or slot 84 (see FIG. 14 ). An axially extending cylindrical support 86 may be received within opening 84 when currency storage assembly 44 is in an operative position within the machine.

The opening 84 in the projection 82 extends in the planar member and is surrounded by a surface 88 which is in the form of an arcuate (U-shaped) projection. The U-shaped projecting surface 88 is positioned to extend within an annular recess or groove 90 that extends around the periphery of the cylindrical support 86 . The interengagement of the U-shaped projection and the annular recess allows the currency storage assembly 44 to be positioned in place within the machine housing. It is also possible to disengage and engage the protrusion and the cylindrical support from the engaging and disengaging portion by moving the currency storage assembly in the direction of the arrow I shown in FIG.

In the manner described by the invention, this cylindrical support 86 also acts as a support for structures in the machine surrounding the currency storage assembly. Support member 86 also includes threaded openings at each end to facilitate engagement with other components. The positioning of the annular recess 90 in the cylindrical support is asymmetrical to facilitate proper positioning of the currency storage assembly. Proper positioning of the cylindrical support is ensured during machine assembly by having threaded openings of different sizes and/or thread configurations at each end of the cylindrical support. This construction, together with the mating fasteners used to hold the machine parts together, ensures that the cylindrical supports are properly fitted during assembly. Of course, the structure of the support structure and the removable currency storage assembly here is only an example, and in other embodiments, other suitable structures and assembly methods can be used. This includes using a generally inverse arrangement to that shown in Figure 14 for positioning the storage assembly and other interengaging protrusions and grooves (recesses) etc arrangements.

The money handling mechanism shown in FIG. 4 also includes an access area 92 . This access area 92 extends through an opening 94 in the front wall in the currency storage assembly (see Figure 10). Currency passing between the currency receiving and dispensing mechanisms of the currency storage unit passes through this corridor area 92 .

As shown in FIG. 4 , a money outlet transport mechanism 96 extends between the passage area and the money outlet opening 28 . The currency outlet transport mechanism 96 moves the currency connected thereto. A currency inlet transport mechanism 98 moves currency between the currency outlet aperture 30 and the currency channel area 92 . The currency entry transport mechanism 98 includes a portion extending through the currency validator 58 . As previously stated, the currency validator is operative to detect currency passing through the currency inlet transport mechanism. The currency validator detects currency moving in the currency inlet transport mechanism. The currency validator determines whether the detected currency is valid, receives it and stores it in the machine if it is valid, and also discriminates between valid and invalid currency.

A transport drive mechanism 100 is connected to the inlet and outlet transport mechanisms 96 and 98, respectively. The money entry and exit transport mechanism is shown in more detail in FIG. 5 . The currency outlet transport mechanism 96 includes a belt 102 and a plurality of currency engaging idlers 104 . The belt and idler pulley engage the currency therebetween so that the currency moves between the passage area and the currency exit aperture 28 as the belt moves. It should be understood that although in the described embodiment a belt and roller transport mechanism is used as the currency outlet transport mechanism, in other embodiments other forms of belt and roller operation or other suitable means of engaging and moving the currency are used. Mobile pieces are also available.

In the depicted embodiment, the currency entry transport mechanism includes a currency validator 58 . In the illustrated embodiment, the currency validator 58 is a standard currency acceptor commercially available that is used to verify the validity of certain types of currency. Where the machine is configured to receive and dispense $20 bills, the validator may be one for determining whether the inserted currency is a valid $20 bill. Included within or adjacent to the validator 58 is a non-slip portion 106 of the currency entry transport mechanism 98 which engages and moves inserted currency through the currency entry aperture 30 past the validator. The non-slip portion 106 is required to move the currency past a detection mechanism within the validator 58 to detect the currency and determine its validity for acceptance into the machine. If an inserted currency proves invalid, or is not suitable for acceptance in the machine, the non-slip portion 106 removes the currency through the currency entry aperture 30 after moving the currency inwardly into the validator. This is done by the evaluator according to an internal operating program or in cooperation with the controller 52 in other embodiments.

If the currency inserted through the currency inlet aperture 30 is verified as valid and acceptable by the validator 58, the non-slip portion 106 of the currency inlet transport mechanism 98 releases the currency into the limited sliding portion 108 of the currency transport mechanism 98. The limited sliding portion 108 includes a belt 110 and an idler pulley 112 . Belt 110 and idler pulley 112 act as limited sliding engagement members that engage currency passing inwardly from validator 58 . However, the limited sliding portion 108 does not provide sufficient force for the currency to disengage the currency from engagement with the non-slip portion 106 before the non-slip portion disengages the currency. This enables the validator 58 of the described embodiment to move the currency back sufficiently so that it can engage the limited sliding engagement members 110, 112 and still enable the non-slip portion to return the currency so that the currency is authenticated. Send it back through the currency entry hole for invalidation. This feature allows commercially available, compact currency validators to be used in the illustrated embodiment.

Although in the described embodiment the money inlet transport mechanism 98 has a non-slip portion and a limited slip portion, other embodiments of the invention may not include such portions depending on the type of authenticator used. One such embodiment will be described in detail later. Also, while the non-slip portion is shown as a plurality of cooperating rollers and the limited slip portion 108 is shown as a belt and roller transport mechanism, other embodiments of the invention may include other types of rollers that can move in the desired pattern. The cooperating moving piece of a monad.

A gate 114 is located adjacent to the passage area 92 . The gate 114 is operative to selectively guide and pass the bill relative to the money inlet transport mechanism and the money outlet transport mechanism. As shown in greater detail in FIGS. 9 and 11 , the gate 114 includes a rotatably mounted gate member 116 . The gate member 116 includes a curved leading front surface portion 118 which is located adjacent the passage area. When the guide front surface portion 118 is in a downward position relative to that shown in FIG. Engages belt 102 and idler pulley 104 of money outlet transport mechanism 96 . In this position, currency is conveyed in an outward direction to the currency outlet aperture 28 by the currency outlet conveying mechanism. Likewise, the guide front surface 118 is moved upwardly to the receiving position shown with respect to FIG. 9 as currency is conveyed by the currency inlet conveyance mechanism towards the channel area 92 . In this position, currency transported by the inlet transport mechanism 98 can enter the channel area 92 .

A guide 120 extends generally adjacent the gate 114 between the currency inlet and outlet transport mechanisms. The guide includes a rotatable guide roller 122 in bearing connected relationship therewith. Guide rollers 122 generally engage belt 110 and rotate therewith. Guides 120 and guide rollers 122 also help guide the sheets through the passage area in a manner that will be described hereinafter. The passage area is also delimited by a divider 124 on an opposite side of the guide. Said separating member, also described in detail later, engages the surface of belt 110, which acts as an arcuate moving member in a region above belt support roller 126. The spacer 124 also engages the fabric strip 70 on the opposite side in a region above the support roller 128 . Backing rollers are supported on the currency storage assembly 44 . The fabric belt 70 acts as an arcuate moving member as it moves over the rollers 128 in engagement with the divider 124 .

As shown in Figure 11, the gate 114 moves between such two positions: one is the receiving position, which is the position where the currency is received into the channel area from the currency inlet transport mechanism, and the other is the guiding position, in which the Currency passing through the channel is guided to the exit conveyor by a limited slide drive shown generally at 130 in the figures. The limited slip transmission mechanism of the depicted embodiment includes a slider 132 . The slider 132 is a small relatively slippery belt or similar force transmission that can be used to translate the gate member 116 to a desired position and thereafter slip in response to drive motion without damaging itself or other connected components. part. In the depicted embodiment, the slide member 132 is associated with a pulley portion 134 which is operatively associated with the gate member 116 . The slider 132 is also connected to a pulley portion 136 which is connected to a roller 138 which supports the belt 102 of the outlet transport mechanism. A stop member, indicated schematically at 140 , limits rotation of the gate member 116 .

Belt 102 is driven in the direction indicated by arrow O when the currency outlet transport mechanism is driven to move currency outward from channel area 92 . This causes the leading front surface 118 of the gate member 116 to move downward until the gate member engages the stop member 140 to limit its counterclockwise rotation. Since the belt 110 is moving in the direction of arrow N in this position, currency moving through the channel area 92 is engaged by and moves with the guide front surface 118 in the guide position to engage the outwardly moving belt 102 . The outwardly moving belt continues to move in response to control by the controller. However, once the gate member 114 rests on the stop, the slider 132 slides relative to at least one of the pulley portions 134 and 136 . This allows the shutter member to remain in the guided position but cannot move further without damaging any components.

As can be seen from FIG. 11 , when the currency inlet conveying mechanism 98 moves the belt 110 in the direction opposite to that shown by the arrow N to transport the currency toward the channel area 92, the belt 102 moves in the direction opposite to that shown by the arrow O. . This movement causes roller 138 to rotate pulley portions 136 and 134 to rotate gate member 116 . The gate member 116 is oriented in a clockwise position as shown and rotates to a receiving position where clockwise rotation of the gate member is stopped by engagement with one of the stop members 140 . Once the gate member is moved to the receiving position, the slider 132 slides relative to at least one of the pulley portions without damaging any other components. In this position, currency can be moved inwardly by the gate member supported by the belt 110 to the passage area.

Although in this described embodiment of the invention the gate 114 comprises a gate member driven by the same drive mechanism as the belt, in other embodiments other gates including a separate drive mechanism may be used. mobile agency. Alternatively, embodiments of the present invention may use a gate member without a drive mechanism in which currency is passed inwardly by deflection or translational movement of the gate member. Such non-actuated mechanism gate members may, by their structure, engage outwardly moving currency and guide them into engagement with the appropriate mechanism for outwardly moving currency. In the embodiment of the present invention, different arrangements can be adopted for the gate member and the sheet moving member. It should also be understood that although a single belt is described herein as moving the sheets in the entry and exit transport mechanisms, other preferred embodiments of the invention may include multiple parallel moving belts, rollers, or other belts that may move the sheets as described. The direction in which money is moved by the money moving mechanism.

FIG. 12 shows in more detail the operation of the separator (partition) member 124 which delimits a first side of the passageway area for currency movement to and from the currency storage assembly 44 . Currency moving through the passage area generally travels on a currency plane referenced 142 in FIG. 12 . The currency plane generally extends along the inner surface 144 of the separator 124 . The inner surface 114 in this embodiment includes a plurality of raised portions as shown. The purpose of these raised portions is to minimize surface tension so that the currency can move over the inner surface 144 more easily.

The currency storage assembly 44 includes an inner wall 146 . An opening 94 extends through this inner wall. The opening is bounded on each lateral side by an ear portion 148 . Each ear portion 148 includes a generally substantially vertically extending slot 150 . A cutout portion 152 extends through the ear portion to the slot. The separating member 124 includes a pair of outwardly extending protrusions 154 sized to move within the slot 150 . The raised portion 154 also enables rotational movement of the separator 124 relative to the currency storage assembly 44 . The separating member also includes a lifting eye 156 . The lifting eye 156 is engaged by a biasing member 158 which biases the separating member 124 in a downward direction as shown.

When the currency storage assembly 44 is installed in the housing of the machine, the separator 124 moves to a position where the first end of the separator engages the belt 110 on the roller 126 . And in the operative position, the opposite end of the separating member 124 is engaged with the fabric strip 70 on the roller 128 . In this way, said separating member 124 at its opposite ends engages an arcuate moving member which moves the sheet in supporting relation thereto. Said separating member in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention forms a sheet to straddle and engage a support on the moving member. Engagement of the separating member with the slips on the moving member serves to separate the slips and guide them through the money passage generally along the money plane 142 . The separator 124 minimizes the risk of currency being carried away by the support fabric or straps beneath the separator where it might become stuck or interrupting the operation of the mechanism. The suspension feature of the separator advantageously enables it to properly position itself in the mechanism both vertically and rotationally when the currency storage assembly is in the operative position. In this way, the separating element can correct small positional errors and still perform its function by the arched moving elements engaging on both sides. Furthermore, the configuration of the groove 150 and the cut-out (notched) area 152 facilitates rapid replacement of the separator, since the raised portion 154 can pass through the notched area 152 . And the biasing member 158 is easily removed from the lifting eye 156 . Removal of the original separation part and installation of a new separation part can thus be easily accomplished.

It should be understood that while in the described embodiment the separation member is provided with raised portions and the support housing structure has grooves, in other embodiments the opposite could be done with the raised portions and support housing together. The slot is with the separator. Still in other embodiments, transition or additional structures may be used.

As can be clearly seen from FIG. 10 , the currency storage assembly in the embodiment further includes a separating member 160 . The separator 160 engages the opposite side of the fabric strip from which the separator 124 engages. The separator 160 minimizes the risk of currency being supported on the fabric 70 on the reel remaining on the fabric as the fabric moves in the order-dispensing direction. The deflector helps separate the sheets from the fabric strip and directs them towards the storage area when the storage reel is rotated in the direction shown in FIG. 10 .

The separator includes an edge portion 162 . The edge portion 162 engages the fabric strip at the location 164 in the figure. A deflector surface 166 extends from location 164 toward the channel. This deflector surface is positioned to extend parallel to the fabric strip 70 in the region between where the fabric strip connects to the storage reel and the channel area.

A movable member 168 engages the fabric belt 70 over the rollers 128 . The moveable member 168 engages the inwardly moving notes so that they may be guided by deflector surfaces into a nip or nip 170 in the area where the webbing is attached to web material stored on the storage reel 66 . Likewise, movable member 168 is used to disengage the sheets separated from the web by separating member 160 and to move the sheets outwardly through the passage area.

The separator 160 is rotatable relative to the housing about an axis 172 . The separating member 160 is programmed by a biasing member 174 to rotate in a clockwise direction about an axis 172 . The reel 66 rotates relative to the housing and currency storage assembly about an axis of rotation indicated generally at 176 in the drawings. In the form of the invention described the axis of rotation 172 of the separating member is positioned at an angle to the nip (nip) relative to the axis of rotation 176 of the storage roll, the angle being at least about 90 degrees. This configuration makes it possible to provide relative controlled angular movement of the edge portions at this location as the amount of fabric strip stored on the storage reel changes during operation of the machine. This relatively limited movement ensures more reliable separation and guidance of the currency away from and supported on the storage reel. This configuration also minimizes abrasion of the fabric material by maintaining the desired relative position of the edge portion 162 to the fabric strip.

As shown in FIG. 10 , the deflector surface 166 is positioned such that it extends on opposite sides of the movable member 168 . In some embodiments of the present invention, the movable member 168 may comprise a plurality of movable members disposed across the transverse direction of the fabric belt. The deflector surfaces may be configured to extend in the intermediate space between the movable parts. Furthermore, the guide surface 120 also extends into the middle region of the deflector surface. The positioning of the deflector surfaces laterally between the moveable member 168 and the guide member surface 120 provides a relatively moveable interfit relationship between these surfaces which facilitates guiding the sheets through the passage area. It should also be noted here that the use of spacers 172 and 124 that engage opposite sides of the fabric strip can help avoid uneven wear of the fabric strip and uneven stress buildup along its surface. This, together with the structure and orientation of the separator, helps to extend the useful life of the fabric strip.

As will be described in detail later, the currency storage unit 44 of this embodiment includes a currency receiving and dispensing mechanism indicated by numeral 77 in FIG. 4 . The money receiving and dispensing mechanism includes storage and receiving reels 66 and 68, respectively. The fabric strip 70 extending between the reels, the rollers 128 engaging the fabric strip and the movable member 168 in the passage area, and the separating member 160 function to ensure that the currency is separated from the fabric strip and is directed to the passage area or from Passage area left. In operation of the described embodiment, the reel drive mechanism 72 moves the reel so that currency can be conveyed to and dispensed from the aisle area. It should be noted that in other embodiments, various types of money handling mechanisms may be located near the corridor area to enable delivery of money to or receipt of money from customers.

The delivery mechanisms described herein, while useful, are exemplary of one of many types of mechanisms that could be used. The currency storage assembly 44 of the described embodiment is useful because the structure of the assembly can be used in many such transport mechanisms, including low cost components suitable for inclusion in the mechanism, which can perform other types of basic functions. low body. This includes retrofitting and retrofitting the cash dispensing capabilities of such mechanisms by providing appropriate mechanisms to connect the access area and one or more outlets accessible to users. Furthermore, the currency storage assembly 44 can be easily removed from the interior of the machine by authorized personnel. For example, in a fueling dispensing application for motor vehicles, a system operator can easily remove assembly 44 from the fuel dispensing pump when off-duty and store them in a safe place. Removing and reinstalling them can be done quickly to minimize the amount of work spent by staff in the facility.

The operation of the currency receiving and dispensing mechanism in the currency storage assembly 44 is controlled by the operation of the reel drive mechanism 72 . The reel drive mechanism selectively controls the rotation of the currency storage reel 66 and the take-up reel 68 in operation. By controlling the rotation of the reel, currency can be supported by the fabric strap 70 and deposited on the currency storage reel. Also, by controlling the rotation of the reel, currency deposited on the storage reel can be sent to the access area.

The reel drive mechanism 72 of this exemplary embodiment includes an electric motor or other drive (see numeral 178 in the figure). The operation of the drive mechanism and its direction of rotation can be controlled by signals from the controller 52 when the currency storage assembly 44 is installed in the machine. The driving mechanism 178 can rotate a first driving member 180 about the rotation axis 179 as shown in FIG. 6 . In the illustrated embodiment, the first driving member 180 is a gear transmission. In other exemplary embodiments, however, rollers, belts or other force transmission elements can also be used.

The first driving member rotates a second driving member 182 during operation. In the illustrated embodiment, the second drive member is rotatably connected to the transmission member 184 , and the transmission member is rotatable about the rotational axis 179 of the first drive member 180 . The second drive element rotates about an axis of rotation 185 and is movable together with the transmission element. Of course, in other embodiments, other driving structures can also be used.

As schematically shown in FIG. 7 , the first resistance member 186 is in working connection with the second driving member 182 , and the first resistance member 186 can exert a force on the second driving member to prevent its movement. Preferably, the first resistance member can exert a pair of movement resistances to the two rotation directions of the second driving member. The first resistance member may comprise a thrust washer, friction disc, bushing or other suitable member to provide a limited degree of controlled resistance to movement of the second drive member. The first resistance member 186 starts to provide resistance when the first driving member 180 rotates clockwise as shown in FIG. 7 . The resistance exerted by the first resistance member 186 also tends to cause the transmission member 184 to rotate in a clockwise position (direction) together with the second driving member. However, when clockwise rotation of the transmission member is stopped, for example due to engagement of the second drive member with the other drive surface, the second drive member will rotate counterclockwise in response to rotation of the first drive member. Likewise, counterclockwise rotation of the first drive member will cause the transmission member and the second drive member to move counterclockwise until the second drive member engages a drive surface. In this case, the second drive member will rotate clockwise. It should be noted that these configurations are examples only and intermediate drives and other mechanisms could be included and still achieve similar results.

As shown in FIG. 7 , the reel driving mechanism 72 further includes a transmission resistance member 188 . The transmission resistance member 188 exerts a limited resistance to the rotation of the transmission member 184 in operation. The limited force against rotation provides a limited resistance to control the movement of the transmission member 184 during operation. It also operatively holds the transmission member 184 in its current position in response to rotation of the first drive member 180 until it is purposefully moved. The transmission resistance member may comprise a thrust washer, friction disc, bushing or other device suitable for exerting a resistance to the movement of said transmission member.

As shown in FIG. 6 , the rotation of the first driving member 180 in the counterclockwise direction is the transmission member and the second driving member 182 rotate counterclockwise to a position in operation, at this position, the second driving member 182 engages and collects. A driving surface 190 of the reel. The drive surface 190 of the take-up spool preferably includes a gear tooth surface adapted to engage gear teeth on the second drive member 182 . However, it should be understood that other drive surfaces adapted to receive power transmitted by the reel drive mechanism may be used in other embodiments. As shown in FIG. 6 , when the second driving member works, the take-up reel 168 rotates counterclockwise. This rotation causes the fabric strip 70 to move in a single dispensing direction as shown by the arrow on the fabric strip 70 in the figure. As the take-up reel is moved by the reel drive mechanism, the slip storage reel 66 is rotated counterclockwise as shown to unwind the fabric strap 70 from the reel and send the currency in supporting connection therewith to the lane area.

Figure 8 shows the operation of the reel drive mechanism 72 when the fabric strip 70 is moving in a sheet receiving direction. The slip receiving direction is the direction in which the webbing travels when currency in supporting connection with the webbing is drawn into the currency storage area supported on the storage reel 66 . Clockwise rotation of the first drive member 180 shown in FIG. until. When the second driver 182 engages the drive surface 192, the second driver rotates in a counterclockwise direction causing the reel 66 to rotate in a clockwise direction. Clockwise rotation of reel 66 causes fabric 70 and currency supported on the fabric to be wound into the storage fabric on the storage reel. The fabric strip 70 is unwound (unwound) from the take-up reel 68 as the storage reel pulls the fabric strip thereon.

The action of the blocking mechanism on the transfer member as well as on the second drive member helps to ensure that the first drive member remains in positive engagement with the desired drive surface of the reel during its movement. Referring again to FIG. 4 , it should be noted that the drive surface 192 of the storage reel 66 preferably includes cooperating gear teeth to engage the second drive member 182 . The cooperating gear teeth may also form intermeshing protrusions and recesses 78 to allow the lock 76 to hold the storage reel in place when the currency storage assembly 44 is removed from the housing.

To facilitate controlled rotational movement of the storage reel 66 and take-up reel 88, a controlled resistance applying mechanism is included in the currency storage assembly 44. An exemplary form of such a resistance applying mechanism is shown in FIG. 13 . Storage reel 66 has an annular detent surface 194 thereon. A directional resistance applicator 196 is shown extending around the annular braking surface at an angle greater than 180 degrees. The directional resistance imparting member 196 includes a first end 198 and a second end 200 which are secured relative to the housing by the currency storage assembly.

The directional resistance applicator 196 includes a braking band portion 202 . The braking band portion 202 generally extends to engage the annular braking surface 194 of the storage reel. The directional resistance applicator 196 also includes an extendable portion, which is schematically indicated at 204 in the drawings. The extendable portion 204 includes an elastic bias portion that can extend in the direction of arrow E shown in FIG. 13 .

During operation of the reel drive mechanism 72, the storage reel 66 is rotated in a clockwise direction when movement of the fabric strip 70 in the order receiving direction is required to wind the fabric strip 70 and the currency supported thereon around the storage reel. The extendable portion 204 extends to elongate in the direction of arrow E in response to the force applied to the braking band portion 202 by the relative movement of the annular braking surface 194 when the storage reel 66 is moved in a clockwise direction. This extension makes it easier for the storage reel 66 to rotate clockwise in response to the force applied by the extendable portion 204 . However, as the storage reel 66 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction in response to movement of the fabric 70 relative to movement of the fabric in the order-dispensing direction, the resistance to movement of the storage reel is relatively high. This is due to the higher stresses in the brake band portion 202 without an extendable portion between the brake band portion and the first end 198 . As a result, the stress in the brake band portion is maintained at a relatively high level when the storage reel is moving in the counterclockwise direction. This provides a greater resistance to the storage reel which minimizes the risk of overrunning.

In the exemplary embodiment, to apply resistance to take-up reel 68, a similar structure is used, but reversed. The take-up reel in this embodiment, which has been described above, includes an annular braking surface 206 as the storage reel. A directional resistance applicator 208 includes a braking band portion 210 that engages the annular braking surface 206 at an angle greater than 180 degrees, the directional resistance applying member 208 relative to the housing at a first end 212 and a second end 214. body is fixed. The directional resistance applicator 208 includes an extendable portion 216 adjacent to the second end 214 . The extendable portion 216 may extend in an extending direction indicated by an arrow X. Referring to FIG.

During the operation of the reel driving mechanism 72, when the take-up reel 68 rotates counterclockwise to move the fabric belt 70 along the sheet dispensing direction, the extensible portion 216 of the resistance applying member 208 stretches out against the take-up reel. The movement of the 68 exerts relatively low resistance. However, when the take-up reel rotates clockwise in response to movement of the fabric strip in the sheet receiving direction, a relatively high resistance is applied to the take-up reel.

Due to the directional resistance applying mechanism in the described implementation, the resistance on the reel driven by the second drive member 182 is relatively low. This reduces the force necessary for the reel drive mechanism to move the take-up and storage reels. This is useful in comparison to systems where the resistance applicator acts equally on the storage reel regardless of the direction in which the storage reel is moving.

Now refer to Figure 5 again. The fabric strip 70 extends along a fabric strip path between the storage reel and the take-up reel. This web path runs in the vicinity of the passage area, wherein the web is supported by rollers 128 . The fabric path also includes a pair of guide rollers 218 , 220 that guide the fabric 70 to the take-up reel 68 along the fabric path. A detector 222 is positioned between the guide rollers near the path of the web. The detector 222 is operatively connected to the controller and detects a machine-readable indicia associated with the fabric support.

FIG. 16 shows a section of fabric strap 70 of this exemplary embodiment of the invention. The webbing includes a transverse central element engaging region 224 . The sheet engaging area 224 engages and holds sheets in supporting relationship with the storage reel 66 in the channel area.

Transversely outwardly of the element engagement region 224 are a pair of peripheral regions 226 and 228 . The peripheral regions extend transversely on either side of the fabric strip adjacent its transverse edges. The peripheral regions 226 and 228 include machine readable indicia 230 thereon. In the described form of the invention, the machine readable indicia is an indicium on a fabric strip which blocks the transmission of radiation. This interruption of radiation is detected by detector 222 . Of course, other types of markers detected or read by a detection device may be used in other embodiments.

As previously mentioned, opposite ends of the fabric strip are connected to the take-up reel and the storage reel, respectively. In the described embodiment, the machine-readable indicia corresponds to a location on the fabric strip opposite one end. In the described embodiment, the machine-readable indicia are symmetrical on the fabric strip and are configured such that the spacing between adjacent indicia decreases as each end is approached. This arrangement in the described embodiment enables the fabric strap to be mounted in any of four possible orientations. The person who replaces the fabric belt like this does not need to consider whether it will be installed improperly. This is because the machine readable indicia is symmetrical in the peripheral region and because the pitch of the machine readable indicium decreases progressively towards the ends.

The detector 222 is operative to cause the controller to store in data memory data representative of the location of the machine-readable indicia that is proximate to the detector 222 while the machine is in operation. In the described embodiment, this data may comprise data corresponding to a number of machine-readable marks that are moved past the detector from a reference position located at a location near the take-up reel. Proximate the first end of the fabric strip at the first end region. By maintaining this data corresponding to a number, the controller can determine the corresponding position of the fabric strip with respect to its end. Alternatively, or additionally, the controller may also maintain data representing a number of orders currently being stored in support-connected relationship with the storage reel. The number of bills is correlated with the location flag such that the controller coordinates the location information provided by the flag with the corresponding number of currency in memory.

Alternatively, a decrease in the pitch of the markers as the end of the fabric tape is approached may allow the controller in this embodiment to detect conditions that imply that the tape is approaching either the first end or the second end. This may cause the controller to provide a signal via the communication device or other output device to indicate that the machine is reaching a point where it cannot hold any more money or is close to running out of money. For example, in the case of dispensing a bill or currency, the fabric belt will travel at least a slightly longer distance than a currency. If during the dispensing of a list, during the distance of moving the fabric, the detector 222 detects more than the predetermined number of marks passed, the controller can determine that the fabric will be close to the second end, meaning that it is left on the storage reel. The currency in is running out. Due to the number of machine-readable marks that pass the detector when a currency or slip is dispensed, the controller knows exactly where the fabric is now away from when no more currency is stored on the storage reel. How close the end area is.

Likewise, when currency is received, the reel drive mechanism moves the fabric a length that is slightly longer than the length of a piece of currency. If during the process of accepting a piece of currency, the detector 222 detects that more than a predetermined number of machine-readable marks pass the detector, the controller can determine that the fabric is approaching the first end without more markings at that point. The fabric material is deposited on take-up reels. When a currency is received, the controller is operative to determine the position of the fabric strip with relative precision due to the number of machine-readable indicia passing through the detector. This enables the controller and memory operatively associated therewith to determine and indicate data indicative of the amount of replenishment required for the machine, as well as to determine and indicate that the machine is full and/or that some currency needs to be withdrawn from the machine within a given period of time. The data of the fetched quantity situation. The machine is also able to perform this function even if the part of the memory storing the information corresponding to the correct position of the fabric strip has been lost or damaged.

An example of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is described, which is shown in FIG. 17 . It explains how the machine works to dispense orders and keep the number of remaining orders. In the described embodiment, the order is dispensed in response to user input via one or more input devices. For example this may involve the user feeding his card containing account data corresponding to the user into the machine for the reader to read. If the card is a debited card, the customer can also enter a personal identification number (PIN) via the keys on the keypad. Thereafter the customer can use the function keys and/or keyboard keys to indicate the currency to be withdrawn and the value of the currency to be withdrawn by input. In this embodiment the controller 52, in response to these inputs, activates the communication device 48 to communicate with another computer system to determine whether the customer is permitted to withdraw the requested funds. Assuming that the customer is authorized to withdraw the funds, the communication device 48 can retrieve a message from a host computer or other connected system indicating that the customer can withdraw the requested funds. The controller then activates the reel drive mechanism to rotate the take-up reel 68 in the indicated direction. This causes the storage reel to spin in the direction shown. Rotation of the storage reel separates the currency from the fabric strap 70 and moves it into the currency channel area 92 .

As shown in FIG. 17 , a channel detector 232 is located adjacent to the channel region 92 in the illustrated embodiment. The channel detector 232 is operatively connected to the controller 52 and operatively detects currency therein. The lane detector 232 is operative to detect the leading edge of currency entering the lane area. In response to the passage detector, the controller 52 operatively activates the transport drive which in turn activates the exit transport 96 . The outlet conveyor operates to move currency associated therewith towards the currency outlet aperture 28 . This movement of the outlet conveyor moves the gate 114 toward the pilot position to engage currency with the outlet conveyor. In the described configuration of the invention, the limited slide portion 108 of the outlet conveyor and inlet conveyor 98 move in concert to move currency from the lane area into engagement with the outlet conveyor.

The reel drive mechanism moves the fabric belt 70 in the currency dispensing direction until the end of the currency is detected past the lane detector 232 . Orders passing through the channel detector are carried by the exit conveyor 96 to the exit aperture 28 where the currency is dispensed to the customer. The sent currency is represented by a currency 234 in the figure. Currency at the exit aperture may be placed in a tray or other suitable container until removed by the customer. Alternatively, a suitable detector adjacent the outlet and connected to the controller may operate to keep the sheet stationary at the outlet conveyor until the customer pulls it positively through the opening. Trading machines of different nature and characteristics can use different methods to transmit orders.

In addition to a single list, more lists can be transmitted. To this end, the controller 52 activates the reel drive mechanism to dispense more orders through the aisle area before dispensing them to the customer via the exit conveyor. When the number of orders corresponding to the customer's input request is issued to the customer, the controller stops the operation of the reel drive mechanism and the outlet conveying device.

During the dispensing of orders from the storage reel, a channel detector detects each order. The channel detector may be a radial detector which detects the leading edge and the trailing edge of the monad. Of course, in other embodiments of the present invention, other types of channel detectors may also be used. The fabric detector 222 provides a signal to the controller 52 when the fabric 70 conveys one or more sheets to the lane area. In response to detection of the machine-readable indicia by detector 222, the controller generates a signal. These signals include data representing the number of orders. In some embodiments such data may include, for example, a simple number equivalent to the length of fabric strip left on the storage reel. Because the currency spacing is usually even, this number data represents the number of orders left. This data can be stored in memory 56 in an amount corresponding to the number of orders remaining.

Alternatively, in an embodiment of the present invention, when a sheet moves through the passage area and is detected by the detector 222, the detector 222 can detect the number of marks passing through the detector. When a single currency is dispensed, the number of tokens passing the detector 222 can be related to the distance from the end of the fabric strip at a location adjacent to the detector. The controller may be programmed to store currency in response to the detector detecting greater than a certain number of such indicia during dispensing of an individual currency and to provide an indication of the amount of currency that the machine needs to replenish.

In addition to using machine-readable indicia on the fabric to provide data representative of the amount of currency remaining, controller 52 may also store in memory 56 either actual quantity data or data representative of value. This allows the controller to maintain information on how much currency is still stored in the machine at any one time. This allows a user to query the controller to determine the amount of currency remaining.

In case the form of the controller encounters a loss of data on the amount of money remaining in the volatile memory, the controller can perform a recovery operation to determine how much money remains. The steps necessary to perform this recovery operation can be stored in non-volatile memory so that the machine can perform this recovery operation almost regardless of the circumstances. In a restore operation, the controller winds the fabric strip 70 onto the storage reel 66 in response to the loss of available data in memory by activating the reel drive mechanism. The reel drive mechanism continues to wind the webbing onto the storage reel until a first end region near the end of the webbing attached to the take-up reel is detected. This can be accomplished in a number of ways, for example this can be achieved by detector 222 detecting the number of machine readable marks on a set of fabric strips within a given period of time determined by the controller using clock means 54 .

Once the controller determines that the fabric has been sufficiently wound onto the storage reel, the controller activates the reel drive mechanism to begin moving the fabric from the storage reel to the take-up reel. The controller generates a signal in response to indicia detected by the webbing detector 222 when the reel drive machine is activated by the controller to perform the job. These signals indicate how far the fabric belt has traveled at any given moment. When the channel detector 232 detects the first note entering the first channel 92, the process of winding the fabric band on the take-up reel is stopped. At this point, the controller 52 operates to generate another signal corresponding to the detected position of the first sheet on the fabric. Since sheets are usually stored in a relatively evenly spaced relationship, the further signal generated is indicative of the number of sheets remaining supported by the fabric strip on the storage reel. This allows the controller to precisely determine how many orders to keep in memory. Further operations of the machine to dispense and receive orders can thereafter be continued using the data corresponding to the number of orders determined by the recovery operation. Of course this is only one example of the machine operation of the described embodiment. In other embodiments, other methods may be used to calculate and determine the number of monads in memory at any given moment.

The situation in which the operating machine accepts a currency will be described below in conjunction with FIGS. 18-20. Inserting currency into the machine requires the authorized user to provide an appropriate input via the input device. This can include refilling the machine with currency by service personnel using a special card or code. Alternatively, as described in connection with Fig. 1, the machine housing may include a security device which can be accessed by authorized personnel and only allows such personnel to insert currency into the access port. Or the access opening is in such a position relative to the housing that it can only be accessed by authorized personnel. Finally, in some embodiments of the invention, the user can either insert cash into the entry aperture, or accept cash through the exit aperture. The specific actions a user can perform to enable the machine to accept currency through the currency inlet aperture depend on the particular machine and are programmed by the operator of the controller 52 .

When accepting currency, a currency is inserted through the inlet aperture 30 to the inlet conveyor 98 . In the entry conveyor 98, the currency first extends in the non-skid portion 106 of the entry conveyor, which extends near the validator 58. The authenticator includes detectors for determining whether the inserted currency is a valid currency accepted by the machine. For example, in this embodiment, the verifier is configured to accept only $20 in currency and reject all other currencies as invalid. Controller 52 operates in conjunction with validator 58 where a schematically shown currency 236 is moved by non-slip portion 106 . As shown in FIG. 18, the sheet 236 may extend from the non-slip portion into the limited-slip portion 108, which is driven by the conveyor to move in the direction shown in the figure. The limited sliding portion engages the sheet but allows it to be moved back and forth by the non-slip portion 106 . If the currency is determined to be invalid currency, the non-slip portion can disengage the currency from the limited sliding portion 108 and out through the opening 30 . If the currency is confirmed as valid currency, the non-slip section 106 will release the currency 236 into the limited-slip section 108 which moves the currency towards its associated channel area 92.

Since in the described embodiment the limited slide portion 108 and the exit conveyor are driven by a common drive mechanism, movement of the limited slide portion in the direction shown also moves the exit conveyor thereby causing the gate 114 to rotate to the currency Accept the location. As a result, the currency 236 is moved to the lane area 92 as shown in FIG. 19 . When currency reaches the passage area, passage detector 232 detects it.

In response to currency being detected by the lane detector, the controller activates the reel drive mechanism. The controller can make the fabric belt 70 move in the currency accepting direction as shown in FIG. 20 . The reel drive mechanism moves the fabric so that currency is wound into supporting relationship with the fabric and onto the currency storage reel 66 . The controller continues to activate the reel drive mechanism until the trailing edge of the currency is detected by the passage detector 232 . Thereafter, the controller may activate the reel drive mechanism to move the note a sufficient distance to provide a gap for the next inserted note. Once the controller has moved the inserted currency a sufficient distance onto the currency storage reel, the reel drive mechanism stops until the controller commands it to move further.

While in this first embodiment the non-slip drive portion adjacent to the discriminator 58 immediately pushes out currency that is detected as invalid, in other forms of the invention, the programmed operation Procedures may vary. For example, a controller 52 may be programmed to move a currency in the ingress transport past the validator. If the validator identifies an invalid currency, once the trailing edge of the currency has passed the gate 114, the currency is stopped in the passage area. The controller can then reverse movement of the transport devices 96 and 98, causing the gates to direct currency outward through the exit aperture. The controller 52 may activate the entry and exit conveyors and activate the rolling storage mechanism to accomplish the task. This may include, for example, having invalidated currency partially stored or temporarily placed in supporting relationship with the fabric band 70 before the direction of the currency is reversed to send the currency outward. These are some examples, in other embodiments of the present invention, different methods can be used to reject currency.

In other forms of the invention, other types of authentication mechanisms may be employed. Figure 21 shows an alternative form of a money handling mechanism, indicated generally at 238 in the figure. The mechanism 238 is substantially similar to the previously described mechanisms unless otherwise noted. It includes a currency receiving and dispensing mechanism 240 similar to mechanism 77 previously described, and mechanism 238 also includes a combined inlet and outlet conveyor 242 . The entry and exit conveyors 242 are selectively operative to move sheets into and out of the lane area 244 . Currency detector 246 is located adjacent to carrier 242 . The currency detector 246 is operable to detect whether the currency is valid, for example, to detect whether the currency passing through the transport 242 is a valid $20 currency. A currency detection device suitable for this purpose is described in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 08/749,240, owned by the assignee of the present invention, the contents of which are incorporated by reference into this specification as if fully adapted in this manual.

If the currency is detected to be valid, it may be moved by a transporter 242 through a gate 248 and into a storage location on storage reel 250 . Equally, when the currency will be dispensed from the storage reel, a fabric belt 254 holding the currency thereon in a supporting relationship with the storage reel can move the currency into the passage area 244, the gate 248 being closed by a not shown. The driver moves to engage the currency with the transport 242 . The conveyor 242 then travels in a direction to convey currency from the passage area to the currency outlet adjacent the end of the conveyor 242 .

If the controller of mechanism 238 operates to detect currency being fed into the machine and detector 246 detects an invalid currency, transporter 242 may immediately move in the opposite direction to reject the currency. Or if it is not desired to expel invalid currency out of the machine, the currency can be moved into the channel area 244 by the conveyor 242 . Currency may also be partially moved onto the fabric belt 254 during operation of the machine, if necessary. Thereafter, the position of the gate 248 can be changed and the controller can activate a reject delivery device 256 after the currency has been moved to the storage area. The reject delivery device can be activated to move the currency inwardly to a storage area 258 within a machine housing. As a result, suspect currency can remain within the housing of the machine to be removed by authorized personnel.

An advantage of the described embodiment of the invention with mechanism 238 is that a single conveyor can be used as both an inlet conveyor and an outlet conveyor for currency. This can be advantageous in some embodiments where the validity of the money can be determined within a single money path which can be selectively moved in two opposite directions.

Another money handling mechanism 260 is shown generally at 260 in FIG. 22 . This money mechanism 260 is similar to the first money handling mechanism, unless otherwise stated. The money handling mechanism 260 includes an outlet conveyor 262 that extends between a channel area 264 and a money outlet opening 266 . The mechanism 260 also includes a currency entry aperture 268 . The money inlet opening extends in a housing wall of the machine which is substantially opposite the housing wall from which the outlet opening extends. The inlet opening 268 is operatively connected to a currency validator 270, which may be of the type described above. The currency validator 270 is connected to a first limited slide transport section 272 and a second transport section 274 . Transport stages 272 and 274 operatively move currency passing through authenticator 270 to lane area 264 .

The operation of mechanism 260 is substantially similar to that of the first embodiment of the present invention. But the arrangement shown in Figure 22 has the advantage that the operator of the machine can load money into the machine from the rear. Some of the preferred embodiments of the present invention are so small and compact in form that they can be placed on a counter or in a standard building interior. This allows the machine operator to load currency into the machine from behind the counter or from an interior room within the building. Since the operator of the machine has no other staff obstructing his access to the machine while the money is being fed, it facilitates the loading of money into the machine, which prevents customers from using the machine. In addition, this configuration eliminates the need for a cover or other device to be placed over the currency entry hole to prevent panicked customers from attempting to insert items into the entry hole. The mechanism shown in Figure 22 also has several advantages which will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Figure 23 illustrates another embodiment of a money handling mechanism, referenced 276 in the figure. This other money handling mechanism 276 operates in conjunction with the money receiving and dispensing mechanism 77 of the first embodiment including the money storage assembly 44 described above. The money handling mechanism 276 can avoid the trouble that the user generally needs to insert money one at a time in order to deposit money into the machine.

The money handling mechanism includes an outlet transport mechanism 278 extending between a passage area 280 and a currency outlet aperture 282 . A gate 284 is located adjacent to the access area 280 and operates in the manner previously described. An inlet transport mechanism 286 includes a first portion 288 extending adjacent an identifier 290 . A second transport portion 292 extends between the identifier and channel area 280 .

The currency separation mechanism represented by numeral 294 is located near the validator. The currency separation mechanism can separate the currency from a stack of currency 296 and distribute them to the authenticator 290 one by one. A note thickness detector 298 is located adjacent to the non-stacking mechanism which separates the stack of notes one by one. The currency thickness detector 298 detects whether more than one currency is removed from a stack at once. If more than one currency is detected moving from the stack towards the validator, the controller operates to cause the currency separation mechanism 294 to move the currency in the opposite direction. The currency is sent back onto the currency stack, and is managed until the currency thickness detector detects that the currency has indeed been separated into a single currency, and then sent to the authenticator.

Figure 24 schematically shows the separation mechanism as an example. The mechanism comprises a central feed roller 300 flanked by two auxiliary belt supported feed rollers 302 . Feed rollers 300 and 302 are rotated by a schematically shown drive mechanism 304 . The drive mechanism is selectively operated in response to signals from a controller.

A contact release roller 306 and a pair of non-contact release rollers 308 are disposed adjacent to the feed rollers 300 and 302 . Rollers 306 and 308 are mounted on the same shaft and connected to a one-way clutch 310 . The one-way clutch operatively prevents rotation of rollers 306 and 308 in a direction that facilitates movement of sheets from the stack to the validator. However, clutch 310 readily enables rotation of rollers 306 and 308 in a direction that moves sheets away from the validator for stacking. While driver 304 moves rollers 300 and 302 to move a sheet at the bottom of stack 296 toward the validator, both rollers 306 and 308 resist movement of the sheet. It blocks all other sheets and only allows the first sheet at the bottom of the stack to move through detector 298 to drive section 288 adjacent to evaluator 290 . However, if multiple sheets are detected by the detector 298 to come out of the stack, the controller reverses the direction of the driver 304. In this case, the rollers 306, 308, 300 and 302 cooperate with each other to help the sheets move back into the stack.

As shown in Figure 23, in the described form of the invention, the stack 296 can be inserted into a non-stacking area 312 within the machine housing. Access to the non-stacking area may be controlled by a door 314 . In the form of this mechanism shown in FIG. 23, the machine operator can place a stack of currency into the non-stacking area 312 and then close and secure the door 314. Thereafter the machine can separate the coins in the stack to properly authenticate them and store the coins in the storage reel of the associated coin storage unit. If invalid bills are found during the bill detection process, these invalid bills can be transferred by the operation of the gate 284 to the transport device 278, which can deposit the bills in the area near the currency exit hole 282. Other forms of the invention may provide other storage areas for storage of invalid orders. Alternative forms of the invention may also provide for a user who wishes to operate the machine to dispense currency to interrupt the machine's currency identification and stacking operations. Of course, those skilled in the art can also design other structures and other arrangement methods according to the principle of the present invention.

Other forms of user interfaces may also be used in embodiments of the present invention. Figures 25-30 illustrate examples of other forms of user interfaces. The interface therein includes a display screen 316 which in various embodiments may be an LCD, CRT or other type of visual or non-visual output device. The interface also includes a magnetic card reader (indicated by code 318 in the figure) for reading magnetic stripe cards. The interface also includes a cancel button indicated by reference number 320 in the figure. In this simplified user interface, the controller initiates display screen information that can be viewed by the user on the display screen 316 . Various displays including preprogrammed text and/or graphics are collectively referred to herein as screen displays. While the machine is waiting for a customer to begin operating the machine, an initial screen display 320 (FIG. 25) is output on the display screen. This initial screen display 320 instructs the user to insert their card into the magnetic card reader and withdraw the card when their desired amount is displayed on the screen.

FIG. 26 shows a magnetic stripe card 322 , shown schematically at 322 , about to be inserted into the reader 318 . Responsive to inserting the clamped card, a first screen display of the amount shown at 324 is displayed. The first amount screen displayed in response to the controller informs the customer of the amount of the amount and informs the customer to withdraw their magnetic card from the magnetic stripe reader when the amount shown on the screen matches their desired number. In the illustrated embodiment, a second amount screen display 326 as shown in FIG. 27 is displayed within about 5 seconds of the first screen display. This second screen display of the amount is a different value, and the user is then notified to pull their card out of the stripe reader when the value they want is displayed. Assuming that the user does not take the card out of the reader after the second amount screen display 326 is displayed, a short time later (approximately 5 seconds in this exemplary embodiment), a third amount screen display will is displayed. Because this described embodiment dispenses $20 every 1 time, each sequential display screen increments by $20. This sequential display continues until a maximum amount screen is reached or until the customer presses the cancel button 320 .

Assume that the customer removes his card from the reader 318 when the screen shows $60. The take-out screen shown generally at 328 will be displayed as shown in FIG. 28 . The takeout screen display 328 tells the customer that $60 will be credited to his account. Assuming again that the customer does not press the cancel button 320 in time, the controller operates through its associated communication means to communicate with an appropriate host computer or other system to determine whether the customer is permitted to credit the required amount. During this time period, a waiting screen display 330 as shown in FIG. 29 is displayed. When the machine receives information indicating that the customer is allowed to receive the requested payment, the controller activates the relevant functions in the machine to dispense the required payment to the customer through the exit hole in the housing. The controller also operates related functions to print out a transaction receipt. After this process is finished, a completion screen display 332 as shown in FIG. 30 is displayed. This completion screen displays to notify the customer to pick up the cash and receipt. Of course, if for some reason the transaction is not approved, another screen display will be displayed informing the customer that the transaction was not approved. Thereafter, the controller will return to the original screen display 320 .

An advantage of this user interface as an example is that it can be used in machines that dispense cash in response to credit card entry and requires no other input means than a cancel button and a magnetic card reader. This component is very common on many transaction machines whose primary function is not to dispense cash. This interface facilitates the installation of the money dispensing mechanism of the present invention into other types of transaction machines. Additionally, in other embodiments, the customer can cancel the transaction by removing the card while a specific screen display is displayed without a cancel button. Many other embodiments can be devised using these principles.

Another novel aspect of the described embodiments of the present invention is that the machine can display selected promotional information to the customer on a very timely basis. Such promotional information is shown in screen display 330 of FIG. 29 with a beverage being promoted displayed on the screen. In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, the promotional information is generated in response to data stored in plug-in memory 38, which is connected to connector 36 on the housing. In said form of the invention the plug-in memory in which said data is stored is a smart card. The data includes promotional information and time parameters related to the promotional information. Therefore, for example, if the promotional offer information shown in the screen display 330 will only be postponed until a certain date, the controller and the relevant clock device will detect whether this time (date) expires during operation, and once this date has expired, This particular promotion will no longer be displayed. For example, if the operator of the machine does not remove the plug-in memory at that time, and the controller determines that the promotional information has expired, then although the machine continues to operate and run to obtain verification and distribute the user's cash, the screen displays 330 at " Please wait" is just a blank or blank area below the three words.

Similarly, other data may also be stored in the plug-in memory module to display certain promotional messages by specific dates or by specific time frames. The plug-in memory component may also include several promotional messages to be displayed at different times or sequentially to the user of the machine. Or the data stored in the plug-in memory component may include public service information for the public, such as promoting various charitable institutions and charitable activities. Graphical displays and other types of video and audio information of interest to the user can also be generated operationally from the data stored in the plug-in memory. Other data stored in the plug-in memory module may include, for example, logos of businesses operating the automated transaction machine or other advertisements.

Since the exemplary form of the invention selectively displays promotional information by simply inserting a smart card into an associated connector, the promotional information can be easily and inexpensively replaced from outside the machine. For example, an enterprise that does business or an institution that initiates promotions can provide promotional information on the intelligence to the operator of the machine. The operator of the machine can insert the card into the machine and the information will be displayed during the selected time window for displaying the information. When the memory indicates that such information is not to be displayed, a screen display including that information is not provided to the user of the machine. Therefore, providers of promotional information can prevent their promotional information from being displayed beyond the validity period or at an inappropriate other time.

Of course, the automatic transaction machine operator can output such promotional information at other times while the machine is running. For example, this could include periodically displaying promotional information in place of the initial screen display. For example, this may include alternately displaying promotional information with the initial display screen 316 for a short period of time, such as 5 seconds. In this way, a user approaching the machine will know how to operate the machine in a very short time. However, such a one enables users to also receive at least one and perhaps several promotional information before they insert their card into the reader 318. Thus, using the described form of the invention, it is possible for the operator of the machine to carry out additional transactions relatively simply and reliably at a minimum of expense.

It should be understood that while in this exemplary embodiment the plug-in memory comprises a smart card, in other embodiments other forms of plug-in memory devices may be included. These storage devices may include, for example, floppy disks, PROMS, CD-ROMS or other devices. It should also be understood that access to the replaceable reservoir may be restricted by a cover, such as the cover previously discussed for the currency access hole. In this way, access to the connector or reader for the plug-in memory is restricted to authorized personnel to replace the plug-in memory. However, in order to replace the plug-in memory, the aforementioned person does not need to have access to the currency memory area inside the machine.

Thus, the preferred embodiment of the automated transaction machine of the present invention achieves the above objectives, overcomes the difficulties encountered with prior art devices and systems, solves the problems and achieves the desirable results described herein.

In the above description, some terms are used for simplicity, clarity and understanding. However, it is not necessary to give them any limiting meaning, since these terms are used for the purpose of description or description, and are intended to be broadly understood. Furthermore, the descriptions and illustrations herein are mainly for purposes of illustration and the invention is not limited to the details shown and described.

In the following claims, any means described as performing a function should be construed to encompass any means known to those skilled in the art and should not be limited to the structures shown herein or only to their equivalents device.

Characteristic of the present invention, find and principle as above, the present invention has also described their structure and operation situation, advantage and the useful result that reaches, in following claims, then propose new useful structure, device , elements, structural arrangements, components, combinations thereof, systems, devices, methods of operation and their relationship to each other.

Claims (70)

1, a kind of device, it comprises:

One housing:

One rotatably installs and becomes with this housing the list storage reel of support relation;

One rotatably installs and becomes with this machine case the reel that batches of support relation;

One extends in this storage reel and this batches flexible fabric band between the reel, and this webbing is at this storage reel and batch between the reel and extend near the list passage;

One first actuator, this actuator can move selectively with respect to this housing on the first direction second direction relative with;

One with the described first actuator work on the driving member that links to each other, wherein this driving member responds this first actuator motion on this first direction and is moved to a primary importance, and this driving member responds this first actuator motion on second direction and is moved to a second place;

Wherein when this driving member is in this primary importance, making this first actuator batch reel with this operatively is meshed, this batch reel in response to this first actuator in the motion on this first direction so that this webbing is allotted at list moves on the direction like this so that become the list of support relation to move near this passage area with webbing on the storage reel, this second place at this driving member, this first actuator is caused meshing with this storage reel in the work, this storage reel responds this motion of first actuator on this second direction, so that this webbing moves like this so that near this webbing this passage area becomes the list of support relation and this webbing to be moved toward this storage reel along the direction of accepting list.

2, device as claimed in claim 1, it also comprises:

Second actuator that links to each other with this first actuator and this driving member is gone up in one work, wherein in this second actuator work between this first actuator and these reels, the motion of this first actuator of the motion response of this second actuator is to move this driving member and these reels.

3, device as claimed in claim 2, it also comprise one with this second actuator work on first resistance piece that links to each other, wherein resist the transmission campaign of this second actuator between this first actuator and these reels during the operation of this first resistance piece, this first resistance piece respond respectively this first driving member this first and this second direction on motion so that this driving member move to this first with this second place.

4, device as claimed in claim 1, it also comprise one with this driving member transmission resistance piece of linking to each other in work, wherein said transmission resistance piece impels this driving member to keep its first or second place at that time.

5, device as claimed in claim 1, wherein this first actuator is one rotatable, this first actuator is around the rotation of one first rotation, and when described driving member was mobile between this first and second position, this driving member was generally around this first rotation rotation.

6, device as claimed in claim 5, it also comprise one with this first actuator work on second actuator that links to each other, wherein said second actuator with respect to this driving member around one second turning axle around rotation, described second rotation when this tumbler is mobile between this first and second position around the rotation of this first rotation.

7, device as claimed in claim 6, wherein this storage reel comprises that one is belt storage reel drive surfaces basically, and this batches reel and comprises that one is the belt reel drive surfaces of batching basically, this primary importance at this driving member, this second actuator meshes this and batches the reel drive surfaces when work, and in this second place, this second actuator meshes this storage reel drive surfaces when work.

8, device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said storage reel and to batch reel be identical.

9, device as claimed in claim 7, it comprises that also one becomes the locking piece of support relation with this housing, also comprises a driver, wherein this driver is worked selectively to keep this storage reel to be in relatively-stationary rotation relationship.

10, device as claimed in claim 9, wherein this storage reel and this locking piece place in the memory module, this memory module is removably installed with respect to this housing, and this locking piece responds the taking-up of this assembly from this housing at work and is in fixing relativeness to keep this storage reel with respect to this memory module.

11, device as claimed in claim 10, it comprises that also one is positioned at this housing and the outer electric signal source of this assembly, wherein this driver is installed in this assembly, and comprise an electric connector that disconnects that is electrically connected with this driver and this electric signal source, when this assembly takes out from this housing, this electric connector is thrown off, and this connector of this actuator response is thrown off so that this locking piece is fixed this storage reel electric the going up of this driver and electric signal source.

12, device as claimed in claim 1, it also comprises a user interface that links to each other with this housing one-tenth supporting, this user interface comprises an input media, also comprise a driver that links to each other with this first actuator work, an and controller that links to each other with this input media and this drive operation, this controller respond at least one input signal to the input of this input media to start this driver so that this webbing is allotted direction along a list moves, become the supporting list that concerns that links to each other to be moved toward this passage area with this storage reel.

13, device as claimed in claim 12, wherein said housing also comprise an outlet opening and a list conveyer, and this list conveyer is used for list is moved on to this outlet opening from this passage area.Thereby make list respond the input signal that this input media is given and be sent to this outlet opening from this storage reel.

14, device as claimed in claim 1, it comprises that also a directed resistance of storage reel that links to each other with this list storage reel work applies part, wherein the directed resistance of this storage reel applies part and when this webbing is worked on the motion that this list is stored reel is applied a resistance when this allocations direction moves, this resistance with when this list receive direction moves, compare higher when this webbing to the resistance that moves.

15, device as claimed in claim 14, the directed resistance of wherein said storage reel applies part and comprises an extensible portion, this extensible portion can only stretch on an extensile direction, when this webbing when a list take over party moves upward, this extensible portion stretches on this extensile direction.

16, device as claimed in claim 14, wherein said storage reel resistance applies part and comprises a band portion, links to each other in this band portion and this storage reel work and with a brake area engagement of going in ring and extend.

17, device as claimed in claim 16, wherein said band portion comprises one first end and one second end, described first end all with in this housing work links to each other with this second end, this second end links to each other by in an extensible portion and this housing work, when this webbing when a list take over party moves up, in this extensible portion work to extend the effective length of described band portion.

18, device as claimed in claim 1, it comprises that also one batches the directed resistance of the storage reel that links to each other in the reel work with this and applies part, wherein this batch the directed resistance of reel apply part when this webbing when a list take over party moves up, this motion of batching reel is applied a resistance, and the resistance that this resistance ratios is applied motion when this webbing is mobile on list allocation direction is bigger.

19, device as claimed in claim 18, wherein the directed resistance of this storage reel applies part and comprises an extensible portion, described extensible portion can extend on an extensible direction basically, when a list was allotted direction and moved, this extensible portion was along should extensible direction extension at this webbing.

20, device as claimed in claim 18, wherein this batches the reel resistance and applies part and comprise a band portion, and this band portion batches in the reel work with this and links to each other, and with the brake area engagement of going in ring and extend.

21, device as claimed in claim 20, wherein this batches the reel resistance and applies part and comprise one first end and one second end, this first end all links to each other with this housing in work with second end, link to each other with this housing by an extensible portion in this second end work, this extensible portion is allotted on direction when mobile the effective length of this band portion of extension in the work when this webbing at this list.

22, device as claimed in claim 1, it also comprises a currency ingate on this machine case, one with the work of this currency ingate on the appraisal of coinage device that links to each other, and the last driver that links to each other with this first actuator and this appraisal of coinage device of a job, wherein this appraisal of coinage device of this actuator response identifies that an effective money enters in this currency ingate so that this driver moves this webbing along this list receive direction, and this effective money to be stored with this list storage reel with becoming support relation.

23, device as claimed in claim 22, it also comprises list inlet conveyer, wherein identifies an effective money when this list inlet conveyer responds this assessor, so that currency is moved to this currency passage area from this appraisal of coinage device.

24, a kind of operation is as the method for device as described in the claim 27, and this method comprises the steps:

(a) store a currency at least, this currency becomes support relation with this webbing on this storage reel;

(b) receive an input signal to this input media;

(c) respond this controller, operate this driver and this currency conveyer so that this currency is sent to outlet opening.

25, a kind of operation is as the method for device as described in the claim 23, and this method comprises the steps:

(a) insert an effective money in this currency ingate;

(b) identify with this assessor whether this currency is effective;

(c) respond this appraisal of coinage device and identify this effective money, operate this driver and this list conveyer so that this currency is deposited, this currency becomes support relation with this webbing on the storage reel.

26, a kind of device, it comprises:

One housing;

One list storage reel, this list storage reel is to become the rotatably installation of support relation with this housing;

One become with this housing support relation rotatably install batch reel;

One extends in this storage reel and this batches flexible fabric band between the reel, and this webbing extends in this storage with near batching a list passage area between the reel;

One with this storage and batch the reel driving mechanism that links to each other in the reel work, wherein this reel driving mechanism moves this webbing selectively in work, and list to be moved with this webbing between this storage reel and this list passage area with becoming support relation;

The directed resistance of one storage reel applies part, it links to each other with a job in these reels at least, when wherein the directed resistance of this reel applies part work this reel motion on a first direction is applied a resistance, this resistance relatively is higher than the resistance on a second direction opposite with this first direction.

27, device as claimed in claim 26, wherein when this webbing is mobile on list allocation direction, list becomes support relation ground to move on to this storage area from this storage reel with this webbing, this orientation resistance applies in part and this storage reel work and links to each other, and allots on direction this resistance when mobile when this webbing at this list and apply part the motion of this storage reel is applied this higher relatively resistance.

28, device as claimed in claim 26, wherein when this webbing when a list take over party moves up, list becomes support relation ground to move to this storage reel from this passage area with this webbing, this orientation resistance applies part and batches in the reel work with this and link to each other, and when this webbing should the orientation resistance when this list take over party moves up applies part this motion of batching reel is applied this higher relatively resistance.

29, device as claimed in claim 26, it also comprise one with this storage reel work on the directed resistance of the storage reel that links to each other apply part and and batch the reel orientation resistance that batches that links to each other in the reel work with this and apply part, when this webbing is mobile on list allocation direction, become the list of support relation to become support relation to be moved to this passage area with this webbing with this storage reel, when this webbing when a list take over party moves up, become the list of support relation to move to this storage reel from this passage area with this webbing with this webbing, the directed resistance of this storage reel applies part and when this webbing is mobile on this list allocation direction this storage reel is applied a higher relatively resistance, and when this webbing when this list take over party moves up, this batches the directed resistance of reel and applies part and this is batched reel apply higher relatively resistance.

30, device as claimed in claim 29, it also comprises a memory module, wherein said memory module is removably mounted on this housing, this storage reel, batch reel, the directed resistance of storage reel apply part and batch the directed resistance of reel apply part all with this assembly formation support relation.

31, device as claimed in claim 26, wherein should the orientation resistance apply part and comprise an extensible portion, described extensible portion stretches on an extensible direction, and described this relevant reel of extensible portion response extends on described extensible direction along this second direction rotation.

32, device as claimed in claim 26, wherein with this orientation resistance apply this reel that part operation links to each other have one with its work on what link to each other is belt brake area basically, described directed resistance applies part and comprises a band portion, and this band portion is to nibble with this belt brake area and to extend and close.

33, device as claimed in claim 32, wherein should the orientation resistance apply part and comprise one first end and one second end, this first end all links to each other with this housing work with second end, this second end links to each other with this housing operation by an extensible portion, this extensible portion makes the effective length of described band portion extend when applying described reel that work links to each other along this second direction rotation with described directed resistance in the work.

34, device as claimed in claim 30, wherein said band portion is to extend generally about at least 180 ° with described brake area engagement.

35, device as claimed in claim 26, it also comprises a user interface, this user interface comprise one with this housing work on the input media that links to each other and one with this input media and the work of described reel driving mechanism on the controller that links to each other, wherein this controller responds an input signal to this input media, this webbing is moved so that becomes the list of support relation to be moved toward this passage area with webbing on this storage reel to start this reel driving mechanism in the work.

36, device as claimed in claim 35, it comprises that also one extends in outlet conveyer between this passage area and this outlet opening at the outlet opening on this housing and, wherein said should linking to each other with this controller work by the outlet conveyer, described controller also responds described input signal and at least one Zhang Danzi is moved on to this outlet opening from this passage area.

37, device as claimed in claim 26, it also comprise one the ingate on this housing and one with the work of this ingate on the appraisal of coinage device that links to each other, identify an effective money that inserts by this ingate in the work of wherein said appraisal of coinage device, this appraisal of coinage is connected on this reel driving mechanism in operation, respond this appraisal of coinage device and detect an effective money that inserts by this ingate, this appraisal of coinage device becomes support relation so that this reel driving mechanism moves this effective money to become with this webbing from this passage area.

38, device as claimed in claim 36, it also comprises a currency ingate on this housing, one with the work of this currency ingate on the appraisal of coinage device that links to each other, whether wherein detect what insert by this ingate during the operation of this appraisal of coinage device is an effective money with currency, one inlet currency conveyer extends between this appraisal of coinage device and this passage area, described appraisal of coinage device all with in the described controller work links to each other with this inlet conveyer, this controller responds this appraisal of coinage device and detects an effective money that inserts by this ingate, so that this currency relevant with this inlet conveyer is transported to this passage area and starts this reel driving mechanism from this assessor this effective money is moved on to this storage area from this passage area.

39, a kind of operational rights requires the method for the device described in 36, and this method may further comprise the steps:

(a) at least one currency of storage, this currency becomes support relation with webbing on this storage reel;

(b) receive an input signal from this input media;

(c) respond this input signal, start this reel driving mechanism and currency outlet conveyer with this controller this currency is transported to this outlet opening.

40, a kind of device, it comprises:

One housing;

One list storage reel, it is rotatably installed on this housing and with this housing and becomes support relation, and described storage reel can rotate around a first axle with respect to this housing;

One is rotatably installed on this housing and becomes the reel that batches of support relation with this housing;

One extends in described storage reel and the described flexible fabric band that batches between the reel, and described webbing extends in this storage and batches near the list passage area between the reel, and wherein said webbing is connected with this storage area near the place of nipping;

One with this storage and batch the reel driving mechanism that links to each other in the reel work, and it is mobile between this storage reel and this passage area that wherein this reel driving mechanism makes the list that becomes support relation with this webbing selectively in work;

One becomes the separation member of installation movably of support relation with this housing, wherein this separation member comprises an edge part, this marginal portion is meshed this webbing and list is therefrom thrown off, this webbing is meshed leaving the position that this place of nipping is provided with on the direction of this passage area in described marginal portion, this separation member is rotatably installed around one second axis with respect to this housing, with respect to described first axle, this second axis leaves the angle ground setting that at least 90 degree are sentenced in described interlock.

41, device as claimed in claim 40, it also comprises a biasing member, setovers this marginal portion to such an extent that be meshed with this webbing when wherein said biasing member is operated.

42, device as claimed in claim 40, wherein said separation member comprises a deflector surface, described deflector surface is extended from this marginal portion, is in basically mutually in the face of relation and parallel with this webbing basically with this webbing.

43, device as claimed in claim 42, it also comprises at least one displaceable member, wherein in this displaceable member work be bearing in this webbing on list move with being meshed, at least one cross side at this displaceable member during the operation of this deflector surface extends.

44, device as claimed in claim 43, wherein this deflector surface is extended at two cross sides of this displaceable member.

45, device as claimed in claim 43, it also comprises a guide faces, wherein this guide faces is set up into face-to-face relationshiply with respect to this webbing in this passage area, and this deflector surface is extended at cross side of this guide faces at least.

46, device as claimed in claim 40, it also comprises an arch webbing supporting member, this supporting member is supported this webbing near this passage area, and one second separation member, the engagement of this second separation member is in the part of this webbing on this arch webbing supporting member, wherein meshes the opposite side of this webbing in this second separation member work from a side of this webbing of being meshed by described separation member.

47, device as claimed in claim 46, it also comprises a biasing member, wherein this second separation member of debiasing makes it to be meshed with this webbing in this biasing member work.

48, device as claimed in claim 40, it also comprises a user interface that links to each other with this housing one-tenth supporting, this user interface comprises an input media, and also comprise a outlet opening on this housing, one the outlet conveyer that extends between this passage area and this outlet opening and one with this input media, this reel driving mechanism and the work of this currency outlet conveyer on the controller that links to each other, wherein response is imported an input signal of this input media so that become the list of the storage of support relation to move to this outlet opening with this storage reel in this controller work.

49, device as claimed in claim 48, it comprises that also one becomes the appraisal of coinage device of support relation with this housing, go to identify the validity of currency in its vicinity when wherein this appraisal of coinage device is worked, link to each other in this appraisal of coinage device and this controller work, this controller responds that this assessor identifies an effective money so that this currency is shifted to this storage reel.

50, a kind of device, it comprises:

One housing, this housing comprise at least one list perforate, and wherein this list perforate is suitable for allowing list pass through from this list perforate;

One user interface that links to each other with this housing supporting, this user interface comprises an input media at least;

One list storage reel, it becomes support relation ground to install movably and with this housing;

One batches reel, and it becomes support relation ground to install movably and with this housing;

One extends in this storage reel and this batches flexible fabric band between the reel, and this webbing extends in this storage and batches between the reel near the list passage area;

One with this storage with batch reel work on the reel driving mechanism that links to each other, wherein said reel driving mechanism is operated selectively so that become the list of support relation to move between this list storage reel and this passage area with this webbing;

One list conveyer, wherein this list conveyer is operated selectively moving between this list passage area of list and this list opening;

One controller, link to each other at least one input signal of this this input media of controller response input and make list mobile between this storage reel and this list opening in wherein said controller and this input media, this reel driving mechanism and this list conveyer work;

Wherein comprise the sign that a plurality of machines can be read on this webbing, wherein each sign is equivalent to a position of this webbing one end relatively;

One with this controller work on the detector that links to each other, wherein this controller response detector detects this sign to produce at least one signal.

51, device as claimed in claim 50, the spacing that wherein adjacent machine can be read between the sign changes along with the distance difference of leaving this end position, and near the machine that this controller response has preset space length relation can be read sign and produce this electric signal.

52, device as claimed in claim 50, wherein this webbing comprise one with this batch first end that links to each other in the reel work with one with this storage reel work on second end that links to each other, this spacing that adjacent machine can be read between the sign is different and concern along with leaving the distance of respectively holding the relevant position.

53, device as claimed in claim 50, wherein the spacing of this between the contiguous tokens along with this end position of this webbing near and reduce.

54, device as claimed in claim 52, wherein the spacing of this between the contiguous tokens along with this first end of this webbing and this second end in each end position near and reduce.

55, device as claimed in claim 50, wherein this webbing comprises that one transmits the list mesh regional, become the list of support relation to be meshed with this webbing with this list mesh regional, this webbing also comprises a peripheral edge margin, described peripheral edge margin is left this list mesh regional and laterally is provided with, and this sign is that this peripheral edge margin with this webbing is support relation.

56, device as claimed in claim 55, wherein this webbing is included in the peripheral edge margin on each cross side of this list support region, and wherein each cross side is comprising this sign.

57, device as claimed in claim 56, wherein this webbing comprise one with this batch one first end that links in the reel work with one with this storage reel work on second end that links to each other, this sign expression in each peripheral edge margin is with respect to this distance of this position of at least one end in these two ends.

58, device as claimed in claim 56, wherein the spacing of this between the contiguous tokens is along with changing with the approaching of this end.

59, device as claimed in claim 58, wherein the spacing of this between the contiguous tokens is along with reducing near this end.

60, device as claimed in claim 57, wherein the spacing of this between the contiguous tokens is along with reducing near this each end of this first end and this second end.

61, device as claimed in claim 50, it also comprises a channel detector, wherein this channel detector is adjacent with this passage area, link in this channel detector and this controller work, detect near the list this passage area during the operation of this channel detector, this controller echo probe corresponding near the flag operation of the position end of this webbing no longer to allow more list stop and being stored on this storage reel.

62, device as claimed in claim 50, it also comprise one with this controller work on the channel detector that links to each other, survey near the list of this passage when wherein this channel detector is operated, this webbing comprise one with this batch first end that links to each other in the reel work with one with this storage reel work on second end that links to each other, start this reel driving mechanism during this controller function and enter support relation to transport this webbing and this currency storage reel, make with this this webbing that batches reel engagement and partly reduce to first area near this webbing of this first end, then this controller also this reel driving mechanism of operation start batch the quantity that reel becomes this webbing of support relation to increase with this, up to having been detected a list till this passage area, produce an other signal list during this controller function the position that one list is detected by this channel detector is shown by this detector.

63, device as claimed in claim 62, a wherein said other signal comprise that representative is at present to become the data of many lists that support relation deposits with this webbing.

64, device as claimed in claim 50, wherein this webbing comprise one with this batch first end that links to each other in the reel work with this storage reel work on second end that links to each other, respond this detector and survey and just generated corresponding to this signal of sign that leaves this second end, one distance.

65, as the described device of claim 64, wherein said signal comprises that representative keeps becoming with this webbing the data of the list number of support relation.

66, the method for operation device as claimed in claim 50, this method may further comprise the steps:

(a) the many currency that become support relation with this webbing of storage on this storage reel;

(b) response some input signals of entering this input media start this reel driving mechanism and list conveyer so that list is moved on to this list perforate from this storage reel with this controller;

(c) survey the sign relevant with this detector with this webbing;

(d) response is sent a signal corresponding to this sign that is detected of a particular location with this controller.

67, the method for operation device as claimed in claim 62, this method may further comprise the steps:

(a) the many lists that become support relation with this webbing of storage on this storage reel;

(b) starting this reel driving mechanism with this controller batches reel from this and removes the part webbing till the sign corresponding to this first end regions is left this this detector that batches the reel setting and detects;

(c) start this reel driving mechanism be included in this increase of batching this webbing on reel part up to a list till being detected near this channel detector;

(d) survey a locational sign that is detected by this channel detector corresponding to this list with this detector;

(e) produce this another signal of representing this position with this controller.

68, as the described method of claim 67, (b) is further comprising the steps of before in step:

(f) with this controller work on storage is corresponding to the data of a quantity situation in the storer that links to each other, wherein this quantity situation is equivalent to become with this webbing the quantity of the list of support relation storage;

(g) the response list to the transmission of this list perforate to regulate this quantity situation;

(h) survey corresponding to the losing of this quantity situation data, wherein losing of these quantity situation data of echo probe and carry out step (b).

69, in a device, it comprises:

One casing;

One list storage reel, it becomes the installation movably of support relation with this engine housing;

One batches reel, and it becomes the installation movably of support relation with this engine housing;

One batches the reel driving mechanism that links to each other in the reel work with this storage reel and this, and wherein this reel driving mechanism moves selectively to move this storage reel and this batches reel;

One batches between the reel along the detector of a webbing path probe mark at this storage reel and this, and described fabric path comprises a passage area;

One in this storage with batch between the reel webbing that extends along this fabric path, and described webbing comprises:

One central list mesh regional and a pair of peripheral edge margin, be arranged on each peripheral edge margin on the opposite side of this list mesh regional, wherein list meshes in the engagement of this list mesh regional and this webbing rather than at this peripheral edge margin and this webbing usually, each peripheral edge margin comprises and can read sign by the machine that this detector is surveyed, this webbing comprises one first end and one second end, link to each other with this of batching in reel and the storage reel respectively in this first end and this second end work, this machine can be read sign and separate each other, and adjacent machine can be read spacing between the sign along with reducing near each end.

70, as the described device of claim 69, it also comprises:

One becomes the user interface of support relation with this housing, this user interface comprises an input media at least;

One list conveyer, wherein said list conveyer are operated selectively so that list is moved between this list passage area and this list opening; And one with this reel driving mechanism, this detector, this list conveyer and this input media work on the controller that links to each other, wherein this controller responds at least one input signal to this input media so that list moves to this list perforate from this storage reel, and this controller also responds this detector and surveys with this webbing one end and the sign of one physical relationship is arranged and produce at least one signal.

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