Cash dispensing automated banking machine deposit accepting system and method

Abstract

An automated banking machine includes a mechanism for accepting deposited items. Deposited items may be provided to the machine in envelopes which are first passed to a user from an envelope storage area (132) in the machine through a transport (124) and which are presented to the user through an opening (244). An envelope storage and dispensing device (134) is operative to assure that only a single envelope is delivered to the user. A user may thereafter include deposit items in the dispensed envelope. The deposited items are passed through the opening (244) and are deposited in a deposit-holding container (128). The deposited items may be marked with indicia corresponding to the transaction or properties of the deposited item where the envelope originally dispensed to the user for holding the deposited item.

Claims

We claim:

1. Apparatus comprising:

an automated banking machine including a housing, wherein the housing includes an upper cabinet portion and a secure chest portion below the upper cabinet portion;

at least one input device in supporting connection with the housing and adapted to receive at least one input associated with each user of the machine;

a visual display in supporting connection with the housing;

a cash dispensing mechanism in supporting connection with the housing;

an empty envelope holding container in supporting connection with the housing and accessible in the upper cabinet portion;

a deposit envelope holding container in supporting connection with the housing and positioned in the secure chest portion;

a deposit mechanism operative to move an empty envelope from the empty envelope holding container through a deposit opening that extends through the housing to the outside of the machine, and to move a deposit envelope received in the deposit opening to the deposit envelope holding container.

2. Apparatus comprising:

an automated banking machine including a housing, wherein the housing includes an upper cabinet portion and a secure chest portion below the upper cabinet portion;

at least one input device in supporting connection with the housing and adapted to receive at least one input associated with each user of the machine;

a cash dispensing mechanism in supporting connection with the housing;

an empty envelope holding container in supporting connection with the housing and positioned in the upper cabinet portion;

a deposit envelope holding container in supporting connection with the housing and positioned in the secure chest portion;

a deposit mechanism operative to move an empty envelope from the empty envelope holding container through a deposit opening that extends through the housing to the outside of the machine, and to move a deposit envelope received in the deposit opening to the deposit envelope holding container.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2 and further comprising a cabinet portion door movably mounted in supporting connection with the housing and adapted to control access to a cabinet portion interior area, and further comprising a cabinet lock in operative connection with the cabinet portion door and changeable between locked and unlocked conditions, wherein in the locked condition of the cabinet lock the cabinet portion door is operative to prevent access to the cabinet portion interior area.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3 and further comprising a chest door movably mounted in supporting connection with the housing and adapted to control access to a chest portion interior area, and further comprising a chest lock in operative connection with the chest door and changeable between locked and unlocked conditions, wherein in the locked condition of the chest lock the chest door is operative to prevent access to the chest portion interior area.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4 and further comprising a dividing wall extending in the housing, wherein the dividing wall separates the chest portion interior area and the cabinet portion interior area, and wherein the dividing wall includes a deposit envelope opening, and wherein the deposit mechanism is operative to pass deposit envelopes to the deposit envelope opening.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the deposit mechanism is movably mounted in supporting connection with the dividing wall, and wherein in an open position of the cabinet portion door the deposit mechanism is enabled to be moved in supporting connection with the dividing wall from an operative position to a service position wherein the deposit mechanism extends outside of the housing.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the empty envelope holding container is movably mounted in supporting connection with the dividing wall.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the empty envelope holding container is mounted in supporting connection with the deposit mechanism, and wherein in the service position of the deposit mechanism the empty envelope holding container extends outside the housing.

9. The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the deposit envelope holding container is movably mounted in supporting connection with the housing.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the deposit envelope holding container is movable between a deposit accepting position wherein the deposit envelope holding container is enabled to receive deposit envelopes therein through the deposit envelope opening, and a disposed position wherein the deposit envelope holding container is disposed from the deposit envelope opening so as to not receive deposit envelopes therein through the deposit envelope opening.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10 and further comprising an interlock mechanism in operative connection with the deposit envelope holding container and the deposit mechanism, wherein the deposit mechanism is prevented from moving to the service position when the deposit envelope holding container is in the deposit accepting position.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the deposit mechanism is movably mounted in supporting connection with the housing through at least one slide, and wherein in the deposit accepting position of the deposit envelope holding container the deposit mechanism is prevented from moving in supporting connection with the at least one slide to the service position.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the deposit envelope holding container is prevented from moving to the disposed position unless the chest lock has been changed to the unlocked condition.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the deposit envelope holding container is operatively engageable with the chest door and is prevented from moving to the disposed position unless the chest door is moved to enable access to the chest portion interior area.

15. The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the deposit envelope holding container is removably mounted in supporting connection with the housing, and wherein the deposit envelope holding container is enabled to be removed from the chest portion when the chest lock has been placed in an unlocked condition.

16. The apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the interlock mechanism comprises a movable engaging member that operatively engages the deposit envelope holding container in a deposit accepting position, and disengages the deposit envelope holding container when the container is moved to the disposed position.

17. The apparatus according to claim 16 and further comprising a movable gate, wherein the gate is movable to selectively block the deposit accepting opening.

18. The apparatus according to claim 17 and further comprising at least one controller in the housing, and at least one drive in operative connection with the at least one controller, wherein the at least one controller is selectively operative to move the gate.

19. The apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the at least one controller is in operative connection with the cash dispenser, and wherein the cash dispenser is operative to dispense cash responsive to operation of the at least one controller.

20. The apparatus according to claim 19 wherein the deposit mechanism further comprises a printhead, wherein the deposit mechanism is in operative connection with the at least one controller and the at least one controller is operative to cause the printing of indicia by the printhead on deposit envelopes being moved by the deposit mechanism between the deposit opening in the housing and the deposit envelope opening in the dividing wall.

21. The apparatus according to claim 20 and further comprising a movable wiper, wherein the wiper is adapted to engage the printhead, and wherein the wiper is operatively interconnected with the gate, wherein the wiper moves with movement of the gate.

22. The apparatus according to claim 21 and further comprising at least one roller engaged with at least one cam, and wherein the gate and wiper are operatively interconnected through the at least one roller and cam.

23. The apparatus according to claim 20 wherein the deposit mechanism comprises an empty envelope picker adapted to move empty envelopes generally one at a time from the empty envelope holding container responsive to operation of the controller.

24. The apparatus according to claim 23 wherein the picker is operatively interconnected with the gate, wherein when the gate moves the picker is operative to engage an envelope so as to enable the envelope to be urged to move from the empty envelope holding container.

25. The apparatus according to claim 24 wherein the empty envelope holding container is adapted to hold a stack of empty envelopes in supporting connection with a supporting floor, and wherein when the gate moves the supporting floor also moves relative to the housing.

26. The apparatus according to claim 24 and further comprising at least one cam, wherein the gate and picker are operatively connected through the at least one cam.

27. The apparatus according to claim 24 and further comprising a movable wiper, and wherein the movable wiper is adapted to engage the printhead, and wherein the wiper is operatively interconnected with the gate and the picker, wherein the wiper moves with movement of the gate.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to automated banking machines. Specifically the exemplary form of this invention relates to systems and associated methods for accepting items for deposit into a cash dispensing automated banking machine as well as for providing items such as empty deposit envelopes to users of the banking machine that may be useful in conducting transactions.

BACKGROUND ART

Automated banking machines are known in the prior art. A common type of automated banking machine is an automated teller machine (ATM). ATMs are used to carry out banking transactions on a self service basis. ATMs may dispense cash to users from their account. Some ATMs may accept deposits. Other ATMs may perform functions such as dispensing stamps, printing tickets, producing scrip, cashing checks, printing money orders and performing other types of transactions. For purposes of this disclosure any machine which is capable of carrying out transactions involving transfers of value is referred to as an automated banking machine.

Automated banking machines which accept deposits often require the user to input a deposit item into the machine in which it is processed and/or stored for later removal by authorized persons. Sometimes the deposit item may be an envelope or other container which holds deposit content therein. Such content may include items of value such as cash, checks, money orders, gift certificates, coupons, coin or other types of instruments. When deposit items are deposited in this manner the user is sometimes required to provide inputs through input devices on the banking machine indicative of the value associated with the item that is being deposited. Typically this is a total value of the cash, checks or other content within the deposited item. The automated banking machine may store the information about the indicated deposit value and/or may print value information on the deposited item along with a transaction number, account number or other information that allows the deposit to be traced back to a user and/or a particular transaction.

In order to verify the indicated deposit value, the operator of the banking machine often must later recover the deposit item from a storage area within the machine. The operator opens the deposit item and determines if the content and the actual deposit value thereof correspond to the indicated deposit value. In most cases the actual deposit value corresponds to the indicated deposit value and the customer's account is credited accordingly. In other instances a discrepancy is noted between the actual deposit value and the indicated deposit value. In such cases the customer may be notified as to the amount of credit that they will be given for the deposit instead of the indicated deposit value that was provided to the machine.

Sometimes when deposited items are removed from the banking machine, the items are damaged. Such damage may include for example a torn or otherwise open envelope. In some cases the deposit item or the remnants thereof may not contain any deposit content. In some cases the deposit content may be loose in the storage area in the banking machine. In other cases the content may not be found at all.

Deposited items are sometimes removed from the banking machine in a tamper indicating deposit holding container and are transported to a remote location for verification. In other situations the deposited items may be transferred to a bag or other container at the site of the automated banking machine. The items may be taken to a remote location for verification of the contents of the deposited items.

In some circumstances at the remote location the content of a damaged or open deposit item may not be found. This may present issues as to whether the customer may have deliberately deposited an empty and damaged envelope into the banking machine. Alternatively questions may arise as to whether the persons responsible for removing deposits from the machine may have wrongfully taken the deposit content. Finally questions may arise as to whether persons responsible for verifying the amount of the deposit may have lost or misappropriated the content of the deposit item. In some circumstances because responsibility for the missing content cannot be established, the operator of the ATM may choose to credit the customer for the indicated deposit value even though the deposit content has never been found. In some circumstances the user may be perpetrating a fraud by deliberately attempting to deposit a damaged deposit item.

Damage to deposit items may be caused by a number of factors. The inclusion of various types of deposit items such as envelopes containing folded notes or sheets or coins may result in irregularly shaped deposit items. The envelopes holding such items may be subject to tearing due to their irregular contours. The tearing of such irregular shaped envelope deposit items may further contribute to uncertainty as to the content of deposit envelopes.

A further potential issue with deposits is that a banking machine customer wishing to make a deposit may not have an envelope available. Although envelope supplies may be provided, such open supplies may be subject to vandalism and/or removal of all the deposit envelopes. Such open supplies may also result in unused envelopes being littered about the area of the banking machine which provides an unattractive appearance.

Further issues may arise due to the inability to mark appropriate indicia on deposit envelopes. While different types of printing devices have been used for marking such envelopes, it is not uncommon for such printing devices to experience difficulties which result in a lack of legible printing of information on deposit envelopes.

Depository envelopes are also often difficult to dispense. This is sometimes due to the desire to dispense envelopes with peel-off or fold-open adhesive for holding envelope flaps in a secure condition. The use of such peel-off or other adhesive may avoid the need for users to lick or otherwise provide water to seal an envelope. The use of such envelopes may be desirable to provide more sanitary conditions. However, the presence of such adhesive mechanisms may present challenges in transporting and dispensing empty envelopes to users of the banking machine.

Deposit items often have significant value. For this reason, criminals may attempt to utilize fraud devices to obtain deposit items. For example, criminals may attempt to place items within a depository opening to capture deposit items so that they may be removed. Alternatively, criminals may attempt to utilize devices to fish out deposited items that have already been moved into a storage area within the machine.

The acceptance of deposits in automated banking machines also pose additional challenges. Some depositories may be difficult to repair or replace. Further, containers utilized for holding deposit items may be subject to abuse or tampering.

Further features of existing banking machine depositories and systems may benefit from improvements.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

It is an object of an exemplary form of the present invention to provide an automated banking machine.

It is a further object of an exemplary form of the present invention to provide an automated banking machine that records information concerning properties of deposit items.

It is a further object of an exemplary form of the present invention to provide an automated banking machine that measures and records a thickness property of deposited items.

It is a further object of an exemplary form of the present invention to provide an automated banking machine that records information concerning properties of deposited items for purposes of later comparison and verification.

It is a further object of an exemplary form of the present invention to provide a method for verifying deposits into an automated banking machine.

It is a further object of an exemplary form of the present invention to provide a method for recording properties of items deposited into an automated banking machine.

It is a further object of an exemplary form of the present invention to provide a method for determining the thickness of a deposited item when deposited into an automated banking machine.

It is a further object of an exemplary form of the present invention to provide a method for determining responsibility for missing content of items deposited into an automated banking machine.

It is a further object of an exemplary form of the present invention to provide a depository for use in conjunction with an automated banking machine.

It is a further object of an exemplary form of the present invention to provide a depository for an automated banking machine that delivers to the user an envelope at the time when a user wishes to make their deposit.

It is a further object of an exemplary form of the present invention to provide a depository for an automated banking machine that will reliably handle envelopes of non-uniform contour.

It is a further object of an exemplary form of the present invention to provide a depository for an automated banking machine that provides enhanced security.

It is a further object of an exemplary form of the present invention to provide a depository for use in conjunction with an automated banking machine that provides greater reliability in printing indicia on deposited envelopes or other items.

Further objects of exemplary forms of the present invention will be made apparent in the following Best Modes for Carrying Out Invention and the appended claims.

Certain of the foregoing objects are accomplished in an exemplary embodiment by an automated banking machine that accepts deposit items such as envelopes. In the exemplary embodiment the user provides inputs through one or more input devices on the machine that identify a user and/or their account(s). Inputs through input devices on the machine may also include an indicated deposit amount associated with a deposit item.

The deposited item in an exemplary embodiment is accepted in the machine and is sensed for thickness and/or other properties at one or more locations on the deposited item. Information regarding thickness and/or other properties is recorded. In some embodiments the thickness information or other sensed parameters may be recorded by printing or other means directly on the deposited item. Alternatively in some embodiments the information recorded on the deposited item may be correlated with thickness and/or other sensed information recorded in a memory accessible by a computer.

In an exemplary embodiment the deposited item is stored with other deposited items in a storage area in the automated banking machine. Subsequently the deposited item is removed from the storage area by an authorized person and opened or otherwise reviewed for verification. The thickness data and/or other parameters related to each deposited item may be reviewed for purposes of determining the content of the item at the time of deposit. For example thickness information recorded concerning a deposit envelope that is empty and damaged at the time of verification will indicate if the envelope contained materials at the time of deposit. This may be done for example by comparing the measured thickness of the damaged envelope to the recorded thickness information. Similarly the thickness information and/or other parameters recorded concerning an envelope that is undamaged but open at the time of verification, will indicate whether the envelope contained items at the time of deposit. Likewise envelopes which are damaged or open at the time of the verification process may be analyzed by comparison to the stored data to determine if items have been removed since the time of deposit in the machine. Various approaches may be taken depending on the particular system and type of deposited items.

In further exemplary embodiments a deposit mechanism is provided that holds a store of deposit envelopes or other suitable deposit holding containers within the interior of the machine. At the time when the user wishes to make a deposit, the machine operates so as to separate a single deposit envelope from the supply and to deliver it out of the machine to the user. Thereafter the user may place items for deposit within the envelope and deliver the deposit into the machine through the same opening through which the envelope was delivered.

In an exemplary embodiment a transport is provided that is capable of delivering the empty envelopes as well as transporting filled regular or irregular envelopes containing deposit material to a storage location. Further in some exemplary embodiments security features are provided so as to minimize the risk that criminals can obtain unauthorized access through the transport to deposited items. In addition in some exemplary embodiments provisions are made to assure more reliable printing of indicia on deposited envelopes by capturing excess ink or other materials in an area away from deposited items and/or by providing appropriate tending for a device which prints indicia on the deposit envelopes.

Of course it should be understood that the devices, systems and methods described are exemplary and that the principles described may be applied to other systems and/or that additional features and functions may be used.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an automated banking machine in operative connection with an ATM transaction network.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a deposit item transport and components for measuring properties of a deposited item and for recording indicia on the item.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary embodiment of a deposited item that has recorded indicia thereon corresponding to thickness and to a particular transaction.

FIG. 4 is a graph representative of thickness of a deposited item over distance or time as the item passes a sensor of an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view representative of detected properties of an exemplary deposited item including instruments such as checks.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a deposited item upon which machine-readable indicia representative of properties of the item have been recorded, and a reading device for reading the machine-readable indicia and for recovering information concerning properties of the deposited item from a memory.

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of an exemplary deposited item that is damaged and which includes information concerning thickness recorded thereon which suggests that the item was empty at the time of deposit in the automated banking machine.

FIG. 8 is a side schematic view of an alternative deposit mechanism which is operative to dispense deposit empty envelopes to a user of an automated banking machine.

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of an envelope dispensing mechanism portion of the deposit accepting mechanism shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is an alternative isometric view of the envelope dispensing mechanism.

FIG. 11 is a right side view of the envelope dispensing mechanism.

FIG. 12 is an end view of the envelope dispensing mechanism.

FIG. 13 is a right side view of the envelope dispensing mechanism shown in a position for dispensing an envelope.

FIG. 14 is an end view of the envelope dispensing mechanism shown in a position dispensing an envelope.

FIG. 15 is a right side view of the envelope dispenser mechanism and transport shown with an envelope that has moved from a position from the supply of envelopes moving in a transport toward a customer.

FIG. 16 is a right side view of the envelope dispensing mechanism operating to minimize the risk of additional envelopes leaving the supply with a first picked envelope.

FIG. 17 is a schematic view of a base assembly used in conjunction with the exemplary deposit accepting mechanism.

FIG. 18 is an isometric view further showing the base assembly and envelope supply for and printhead tending actuator arm used in an exemplary embodiment of the envelope dispensing mechanism.

FIG. 19 is a schematic view of a curved portion of an envelope transport used in conjunction with an exemplary embodiment of the deposit accepting mechanism.

FIG. 20 is a schematic view of the envelope transport portion shown in FIG. 19 with an envelope shown therein and a schematic representation of the forces which act on such envelope.

FIG. 21 is a top plan view of the transport shown in FIG. 20 along with the transport belt and rollers used in conjunction therewith.

FIG. 22 is an isometric view of features adjacent the outer end of the envelope transport including the belts and rollers adjacent thereto.

FIG. 23 is a right side schematic view showing the outer portion of the transport including a gate in an open position enabling items to be delivered from or deposited into the transport.

FIG. 24 is a schematic view showing the translation of rollers adjacent to the outer end of the transport which may occur due to the acceptance of the regularly shaped deposited items.

FIG. 25 is a front plan view of the outer end of the transport including the gate associated therewith shown with the gate in an open position.

FIG. 26 is a schematic view of the outer end of the transport showing acceptance of an irregularly shaped deposit envelope including coin.

FIG. 27 is a view of the outer end of the transport showing acceptance of an irregularly shaped deposit envelope including sheets and the displacement of the roller shaft associated with such acceptance in a manner similar to that shown in FIG. 24.

FIG. 28 is an isometric view of rollers and a supporting shaft which may be used in conjunction with an exemplary embodiment of the envelope depository system.

FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view of the rollers shown in FIG. 28.

FIG. 30 is a schematic view showing the mounting of the rollers shown in FIG. 28 on the shaft.

FIG. 31 is an isometric view showing alternative rollers utilizing similar mounting features to those shown in connection with the rollers in FIGS. 28-30.

FIG. 32 is an isometric view of an alternative exit end construction for an envelope transport system including members that facilitate acceptance into the transport of irregularly contoured items.

FIG. 33 is a side view of the structures shown in FIG. 32.

FIG. 34 is an alternative structure for an outer end of a transport including transversely disposed envelope guides to facilitate the outward travel of envelopes that may be misaligned in the transport.

FIG. 35 is a further isometric view of the outer end of the transport shown in FIG. 34 including the envelope guides.

FIG. 36 is an end view demonstrating the operation of the disclosed envelope guides in connection with handling envelopes which are not aligned.

FIG. 37 is a top schematic view showing the outer end of the transport with an envelope in misaligned relation therewith.

FIG. 38 is a top view of the transport with the guides showing the misaligned envelope moved further into the transport.

FIG. 39 is a top plan view of the outer end of the transport showing the misaligned envelope in connection therewith, the transport in FIG. 39 not including the guides shown in FIG. 34.

FIG. 40 is a top plan view of the envelope transport with the envelope shown in FIG. 39 moved further into the transport.

FIG. 41 is an end view of the transport shown in FIG. 39 and representing the condition that may occur with regard to rejecting a misaligned envelope or in dispensing a misaligned envelope if the guides shown in FIG. 34 are not used.

FIG. 42 is an isometric view of the construction of the supporting base for the outer end of the transport.

FIG. 43 is a bottom isometric view demonstrating the assembly of the components of the base used in the outer end of the transport.

FIG. 44 is a side view showing the assembled members making up the base of the outer end of the transport.

FIG. 45 is an isometric view showing the outer end of the transport including overlying bezel and movable gate portions.

FIG. 46 is an isometric view schematically showing the components associated with movement of the gate which selectively blocks access to the transport.

FIG. 47 is a side view showing the transport gate in a fully open position.

FIG. 48 is a side view similar to FIG. 47 showing the gate in a partially open position.

FIG. 49 is a side view similar to FIG. 47 showing the transport gate in an open position.

FIG. 50 is a view similar to FIG. 47 with the gate in a fully closed position in which the gate engages with adjacent structures so as to minimize the risk of unauthorized access to the transport.

FIG. 51 is a side schematic view showing an exemplary form of the portion of the transport including an inkjet printing device and a further ink capture device or vessel for capturing excess ink from the printing device.

FIG. 52 is an isometric view showing the ink capture device of FIG. 51 with the access door thereto in an open position.

FIG. 53 is an isometric view similar to FIG. 52 but showing the ink capture device with the access door thereto in an closed position and schematically indicating removable rotatable mounting thereof.

FIG. 54 is a side schematic view showing the mechanism for tending to nozzles of the inkjet cartridge of the exemplary embodiment through wiping action.

FIG. 55 is a side view showing the inkjet cartridge of the exemplary embodiment along with a movable wiper member providing with a squeegee portion such wiping action.

FIG. 56 is an isometric view showing schematically the wiper member on the printhead.

FIG. 57 is a further isometric view showing the wiping member and the printhead.

FIG. 58 is an exploded view of a removable deposit holding container and the movable door mechanism used in connection with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 59 is an enlarged isometric view of a top portion of the container and the associated movable door mechanism.

FIG. 60 is an isometric cut-away view showing the construction of the movable door mechanism used in connection with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 61 is an isometric view of the deposit holding container and movable door mechanism of an exemplary embodiment including features for facilitating changing the movable door.

FIG. 62 is a top isometric view showing a locking mechanism used in conjunction with locking the movable door of the deposit holding container of an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 63 is an isometric side view showing an exemplary mounting for the deposit holding container and interlocking capabilities used in connection with some embodiments for preventing access to the deposit accepting mechanism when the deposit holding container is in operative position.

FIG. 64 is a further isometric view showing the exemplary interlock mechanism with the deposit holding container in an operative position.

FIG. 65 is a further isometric view showing the interlock mechanism enabling movement of the deposit accepting mechanism when the deposit holding container has been moved from the operative position.

FIG. 66 is a right side view similar to FIG. 65 showing the deposit holding container being removed and the interlock enabling movement of the deposit accepting device.

FIG. 67 is a top plan view similar to FIG. 62 but with the exemplary locking mechanism shown in a position enabling opening of the door of the deposit holding container.

FIG. 68 is a right side schematic view indicating exemplary sensors for providing enhanced security against tampering and unauthorized access to the deposit accepting mechanism.

FIG. 69 is an isometric exploded view showing engagement of the exemplary outer end of the deposit accepting mechanism with a floating fascia portion movably mounted relative to the fascia of an automated banking machine.

FIG. 70 is an isometric front view showing the bezel at the outer end of the deposit accepting mechanism engaged with a movable fascia portion of an automated banking machine.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown therein a schematic view of a first embodiment of an automated banking machine generally indicated 10. The first exemplary embodiment of the automated banking machine is an automated teller machine that is usable to carry out banking transactions such as the dispensing of cash and the deposit of items. It should be understood however that the principles of the present invention may be applicable to other types of automated banking machines that perform other or additional functions.

Automated banking machine 10 includes a housing 12. Housing 12 in the exemplary embodiment includes a chest portion 14 and a top housing portion 16. Each of the chest portion and top housing which may be alternatively referred to herein as a cabinet portion are accessible to authorized persons through suitable access doors which are controlled by locking mechanisms. As schematically shown, the chest portion has a chest door which includes a safe style combination lock schematically represented 18, which operates to limit access to authorized personnel. The top housing portion includes a key lock (not separately shown) in operative connection with a door that is movable relative to the housing and enables authorized persons to access the interior of the top housing portion. Of course in other embodiments other access control and locking mechanisms may be used.

Automated banking machine 10 further includes input devices. The input devices in the exemplary machine include a keypad 20 through which users may provide manual inputs. A further input device in the exemplary embodiment is a card reader 22. In some embodiments the card reader may be adapted for reading magnetic stripe cards and/or smart cards which include a programmable memory thereon. Of course in other embodiments card readers which read contactless cards or other devices may be used.

The exemplary embodiment further includes an image capture device schematically represented 24. In some embodiments the image capture device may include for example, a camera which captures one or more images of the person operating the machine. In other embodiments the image capture device may comprise a biometric reader such as an iris scanner, an input device for a facial recognition system or other similar device which serves as an input device for identifying a user. Of course the input devices discussed are exemplary and in other embodiments other input devices such as fingerprint readers, retina scanners, voice recognition systems, touch screens, voice input systems and other types of devices that receive inputs that are usable to identify a user and/or their accounts, or which can be operated to provide instructions to or from the machine, may be used.

The exemplary embodiment of the automated banking machine 10 further includes output devices. Such output devices include a visual display 26. The visual display 26 may be operated to provide instructions to a user concerning operation of the machine as well as to provide the user with information. The machine further includes a printer device 28 which also serves as an output device. Printer device 28 in some exemplary embodiments may include a device for printing receipts which are provided to a user for purposes of documenting transactions conducted at the machine. Of course in other embodiments other types of printing devices may be used. These may include for example devices that print tickets, scrip, money orders, checks, coupons, or other documents or instruments.

It should be understood that these output devices are exemplary and in other embodiments other types of output devices may be used. For example other embodiments may include voice guidance systems, communication interfaces for communicating with wireless devices such as PDAs or cell phones, electrical connectors for communicating with headphones or similar devices or other devices for providing outputs to a user.

In the exemplary banking machine 10 users are enabled to receive cash from the machine as well as to make deposits into the machine. The exemplary machine includes a cash dispenser mechanism 30. The cash dispenser mechanism includes bill picker mechanisms 32 and 34 which operate to pick bills from one or more supplies of bills in the machine. For example U.S. Pat. No. 4,664,369 which is incorporated herein by reference, includes examples of bill picker mechanisms that may be used in some embodiments. Of course in other embodiments other types of bill picker mechanisms may be used.

The cash dispenser 30 further includes a bill transport 36 which moves the bills to a stacking and presenting mechanism 38. For example U.S. Pat. No. 5,342,165 which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a type of bill stacker and presenting mechanism that may be used in some embodiments. The cash dispenser is operative to deliver bills to a user through a cash dispensing outlet 40. As schematically indicated, an appropriate gate or other blocking mechanism 42 is positioned adjacent to the cash outlet so as to prevent unauthorized persons from gaining access to the cash dispenser mechanism. The exemplary gate 42 is movable responsive to motors, solenoids or other suitable motion control mechanisms which may be alternatively referred to herein as drives, to enable cash to be properly delivered to a machine user from the stacker and presenter mechanism, and to block access at other times.

The exemplary embodiment of the banking machine 10 further includes a first deposit accepting system which includes mechanisms suitable for receiving and storing deposited items. In the exemplary embodiment the deposited items are envelopes. However, in other embodiments other types of deposit items such as checks, money orders, tickets, coupons, deposit bags, deposit holding carriers and other types of deposited items may be received. Machine 10 includes a deposit opening which may be alternatively referred to herein as an inlet, which extends in the housing and is sized for accepting deposited items such as envelopes. An appropriate gate mechanism schematically indicated 46 is movably positioned adjacent the deposit inlet. Gate 46 is movable through solenoids, motors or other suitable moving devices so as to prevent access to the interior of the machine through the deposit inlet except at times when the machine is in a proper mode to accept deposits.

In the exemplary embodiment deposited items are moved along a deposit path through a transport 48. The deposit transport 48 is operative to move envelopes deposited by a user from the area adjacent the deposit inlet to a storage area 50. In some exemplary embodiments the deposit transport may be of the type shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,884,679, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

In the first exemplary embodiment the storage area 50 is bounded by a removable deposit holding container 52. The exemplary form of the deposit holding container has an interior storage area that is operative to hold deposited items therein 54. The deposit holding container 52 may be removed from the machine by authorized personnel and transported to a remote location where deposits may be validated. This may be done for example through a self locking and tamper indicating deposit holding container like that later discussed in detail that locks upon removal from the machine and which is properly opened only by authorized persons at a remote location. Alternatively the deposit holding container may be such that persons who are authorized to access the chest portion 14 may remove the deposited items individually therefrom and verify the contents thereof either at the machine or at a remote location. Alternatively other approaches may be used for verifying deposited items depending on the type and nature of the deposits.

The exemplary machine 10 further includes at least one computer which may be alternatively referred to herein as a controller, schematically indicated 56. The controller is in operative connection with at least one data store or memory 58 which holds programming instructions, information about transactions, communication information and other data used in operation of the machine. The controller 56 is in operative connection with the transaction function devices in the machine and controls the operation thereof in accordance with the programmed instructions.

Controller 56 is in operative connection with at least one communications device 60. The communications device enables the exemplary machine to communicate with at least one remote computer and data store for purposes of carrying out transactions. As represented schematically in FIG. 1, banking machine 10 is in operative connection with a network schematically indicated 62. The network is in operative connection with computers at financial institutions 64 and 66 which operate systems that authorize and record information concerning transactions conducted by users at the banking machine. Of course this communications approach through a banking network is exemplary and in other embodiments other communications approaches and/or authorizing entities may be used.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of the deposit transport 48 used in exemplary banking machine 10. In this exemplary embodiment deposited items in the form of envelopes 68 are moved along a transport path in the direction of arrow D from the deposit inlet to the storage area. As the deposited items are being moved along the transport path, properties of the deposited item are sensed. In the embodiment shown, thickness of the deposited item is sensed by a sensor 70. In the embodiment shown, the sensor 70 is a contact sensor which physically contacts the deposited item 68 so as to determine its thickness. For example as shown in FIG. 2, a contact roller 72 has an axis that is movable in response to envelope thickness and biasingly engages the deposit envelope as it passes along the transport path between the contact roller and a reference surface of a stationary axis roller 74. The displacement of the contact roller 72 from its reference position indicates the thickness of the deposited item across its length. The displacement of the contact roller produces one or more signals from the sensor 70 which are transmitted to the controller and used for purposes which are later discussed.

It should be understood that while in the exemplary embodiment the contact type sensor is used for determining thickness in other embodiments, non-contact sensors may be used for determining thickness or other properties of a deposited item. For example non-contact sensors of the type shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,101,266, 6,242,733 and 6,241,244, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated by reference herein, may be used for purposes of determining thickness or other properties of the deposited items. Such non-contact sensors may be used in lieu of or in addition to, contact type sensors for determining thickness of the deposited item.

In addition or in the alternative, other types of sensors such as magnetic type sensors may be used for purposes of sensing and/or determining the content of the envelope. Magnetic sensors may be used for example, to determine the presence of magnetic inks on checks, coins, currency or other instruments which are included within deposit envelopes. Such non-contact sensors are schematically represented 76 in FIG. 2. It should be understood that in some embodiments thickness or other properties of the deposited item may be sensed in or along a single sensing area in the envelope path. In other embodiments sensing may be conducted across all or a portion of the transverse width of the deposited item. The particular nature of the thickness and other deposit item properties that are sensed and used in a particular embodiment may depend on the type of deposited item involved and the needs of the operator of the banking machine.

As shown in FIG. 2, one or more recording devices schematically indicated 78 are positioned adjacent to the deposit path. In the exemplary embodiment the recording devices may comprise printers which are operative to print indicia on deposited items. Such printers may include for example dot-matrix printers, stamper type printers, inkjet printers or other suitable devices for recording indicia on the deposited item. In other exemplary embodiments systems which are operative to label the deposited item, such as those shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,435,243 which is incorporated herein by reference, may be used.

In the exemplary embodiment, the recording devices are operative to record on the deposited item, indicia which corresponds to the properties of the item which is sensed. This may include for example recording on the deposited item numerical indicia which indicate thickness of the envelope at one or more locations thereon. In other embodiments the recording device may be operative to record an identifying indicator such as an account number or transaction number on the envelope. This identifying indicia may then be correlated to thickness or other properties of the deposited item by referring to data stored in memory at the machine or elsewhere in an operatively connected computer. Alternatively or in addition, the indicia recorded on the deposited item may include an indicated deposit value which corresponds to the amount that a user of the machine indicated was included in or was represented by the deposited item.

FIG. 3 shows an example of deposited item 80 that has been passed through the depository of an exemplary automated banking machine. For this deposited item the recorded indicia on the item includes a transaction identification number 82. The transaction identification number may correspond for example, to the particular transaction carried out by the machine and may correspond to information stored in memory such as the identity of the particular user who conducted the deposit transaction. In this exemplary embodiment the deposited item 80 further has included among the indicia, an indicated deposit value 84. The indicated deposit value may include for example the particular value amount that the user indicated that they were depositing into the machine through inputs to the input devices at the time they made the deposit. The inclusion of the indicated deposit value with the recorded indicia may facilitate verifying the deposit when it is removed from the machine as later discussed.

For the deposited item 80, indicia corresponding to thickness is recorded on the item. The thickness indicia 86 comprises a numerical indication of the thickness of the deposit envelope at various locations along the envelope at the time of deposit. These various locations in the embodiment shown are spaced longitudinal locations along a single longitudinal line adjacent the center of the envelope as it passes through the transport. In this exemplary embodiment the thickness indicia are printed adjacent to a transverse edge of the envelope so as to not interfere with other indicia printed thereon. Of course it should be understood that in other embodiments other approaches may be used.

As later discussed, the thickness and other indicia associated with the envelope may be used when the envelope is subsequently opened to verify that the envelope contained deposit items therein at the time of deposit and/or the nature of such deposited items.

FIG. 6 shows an alternative form of recorded indicia on a deposited item 88. In this exemplary embodiment the recorded indicia of the deposited item includes machine-readable indicia 90. In this embodiment the machine-readable indicia comprises a bar code or similar machine-readable coding scheme.

The machine-readable indicia corresponds to a particular numerical or other indicator that is correlated with data related to the deposit, such as the customer identity and indicated deposit value. In the exemplary embodiment the indicia also corresponds to data about the particular deposit such as thickness data and/or other properties. This data which is captured from the contact or non-contact type sensors in the machine is correlated with the machine-readable indicia 90. Such data may be accessed from the data store in the banking machine. Alternatively such data may be transmitted to another data store for purposes of verifying that the indicated deposit value corresponds to the actual deposit value of the content of the envelope.

A reading device 92 is operative to read the machine-readable indicia once the deposited item 88 has been removed from the storage area in the machine by an authorized representative of the machine operator. The reading device 92 is in operative connection with a computer or other device 94 which has therein or which has accessible thereto, data in a data store 96. The data store 96 preferably includes data such as the indicated deposit value, the identity of the user and the properties of the particular deposited item as sensed by the sensors in the banking machine proximate to the time of deposit. With this information the person verifying the deposits may verify that the content of the envelope has at the time of verification, an actual deposit value that corresponds to the indicated deposit value. In the event of a discrepancy, the person verifying the deposit may use the thickness and other data which has been recorded related to the deposited item, to determine if the deposited item actually contained items having the expected properties of thickness and/or other properties at the time of deposit. This will enable a person responsible for verifying the deposit to better determine if the items were not included in the deposited item at the time of deposit or if the content of the deposited item was lost or misappropriated after deposit. Such information is useful in determining whether to credit the customer's account for the indicated deposit value as later discussed.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show exemplary types of data related to deposited items which may be represented by indicia recorded on deposited items. For example FIG. 4 is a graphical representation of thickness of a deposited item over time or distance as the item engages and passes a single contact type sensor as the deposited item moves along the deposit path in the banking machine. A line 98 corresponds to the one or more signals from the sensor indicative of thickness. Various embodiments such as for example a deposit system used to produce item 80 in FIG. 3, record thickness at a plurality of discrete separated locations 100. In the exemplary embodiment the movement of the envelope may be controlled through operation of a controlled speed motor, stepper motor or other controlled movement device so that the indicia indicative of thickness at each of the locations corresponds relatively closely to the particular area on the deposited item at which the thickness is sensed. Appropriate circuitry is provided so that when indicia corresponding to thickness such as is shown in FIG. 3 is a fairly accurate representation of the thickness at the various locations at the time the envelope was deposited. As can be appreciated in embodiments where deposit items are moved at a predictable and generally constant speed, thickness determinations can be based on elapsed time from when a leading edge of an envelope is sensed. In other embodiments encoders or other distance sensors can be used to directly sense envelope movement. The graph in FIG. 4 may be representative of outputs from either type system.

In some embodiments it may be sufficient for the indicia to represent a maximum thickness of the deposited item such as is indicated in FIG. 4 by a maximum 102 of line 98. The maximum is indicative of the maximum thickness of the envelope, and this may in many embodiments be sufficient to indicate the nature of the content thereof. Thus for example in systems where the maximum thickness is recorded, only indicia corresponding to one numerical value may be recorded on the envelope and/or stored in memory as corresponding to the indicia recorded on the envelope.

In still other embodiments it may be important to correlate with a deposited item, a quantity indicative of the volume of the item. This may correspond to the area 104 under the line 98 in FIG. 4. As can be appreciated area 104 which is the integral of the overall thickness as measured by a thickness sensor, may be indicative of the overall content of the envelope.

FIG. 5 shows yet other data that may be recorded related to the particular deposited item. For example certain contact and non-contact sensors can develop a detailed profile of a deposited item including the thicknesses associated with folds, flaps and items contained within the envelope. Non-contact sensors may also detect other properties such as magnetic properties and the presence of inks or other indicators on or within the contents.

For example FIG. 5 shows a deposited item 106. Non-contact sensors of the type previously mentioned may use radiation to determine thickness and determine the bounds of the envelope as well as additional thickness areas associated with envelope features such as flaps and folds 108. In addition such non-contact sensors may sense additional thicknesses in the areas 110 and 112 within the envelope. In areas 110 and 112 additional thickness is caused by the presence of sheets such as instruments within the envelope. Radiation sensors which are capable of sensing radiation absorption properties may sense areas where printing has been made on items within the envelope. In addition or in the alternative, magnetic sensors may identify areas of magnetic activity represented by areas 114. Such magnetic activity may correspond to areas where magnetic inks have been printed on checks or other instruments.

As can be appreciated, some embodiments may provide a detailed profile of the deposited item and its content. This profile may be correlated with the indicia recorded on the deposited item so that a person responsible for verifying deposits may determine whether the content of the deposited item at the time that it is verified, corresponds to the content at the time it was deposited.

In operation of an exemplary embodiment, the automated banking machine 10 is operated by a user to perform banking transactions. This includes for example the user providing to the card reader 22 of the machine a debit card which includes a magnetic stripe. The magnetic stripe may include information that identifies the user and/or their account such as a primary account number (PAN) of the user. The user may further verify their identity by providing to the machine a personal identification number (PIN) through the keypad 20. If the input PIN corresponds to the data recorded on the card, the user may be authorized to conduct transactions at the machine. It should be understood that the use of these inputs by the user to the machine to identify the user is exemplary and in other embodiments other inputs usable to identify the particular user or an account may be used.

A user also provides one or more inputs through input devices on the machine to indicate the type of transaction they wish to conduct. If the user provides one or more inputs indicating that they wish to make a deposit transaction, the controller in the machine will operate in accordance with its programming to present prompts to the user through the display 26 or other output devices requesting that the user indicate the deposit values of the item or items that they wish to deposit. After providing the indicated deposit value, the controller operates the machine to open the gate 46 to the deposit transport 48 so that a user may insert the deposited item. When the user inserts the deposited item, it is moved through the transport 48 wherein properties of the deposited item are sensed. This includes in exemplary embodiments, sensing thickness and/or other properties of the deposited item as previously discussed. The controller 56 further operates the recording device 78 such as one or more printers, to record on the deposited item indicia that corresponds to the particular properties or characteristics sensed. Once the indicia has been recorded on the deposited item, the item passes into the storage area 50 where it is held in the banking machine for later verification.

Periodically the operator of the machine or other authorized entity accesses the interior of the machine to remove and verify the deposited items. This is done in an exemplary embodiment by opening the lock 18, moving the chest door and accessing the chest portion 14 so as to remove the deposit holding container 52. In some embodiments the deposited items may be removed from the deposit holding container at the machine and opened for verification in an area adjacent to the machine. Alternatively the deposit holding container may be locked and transported to a remote location for verification of the deposits.

In the exemplary embodiment the deposit holding container is to be transported to a remote location and an empty deposit holding container is placed in the machine to receive further deposits. The banking machine is then returned to operation. The deposited items are removed from the deposit holding container at a remote facility and the content thereof reviewed. The content which may include cash, checks or other deposited items is totaled for each deposited item to obtain an actual deposit value. The actual deposit value is then compared to the indicated deposit value to determine if there is a discrepancy. If the actual deposit value and the indicated deposit value are different, the user of the machine may have made an error in providing the indicated deposit value. Alternatively the user may be attempting to perpetrate a fraud by misrepresenting the value of the deposit. Alternatively, deposited items may have been misappropriated by persons having access to the deposited items either at the machine, in transport or at the location where the deposited value is verified.

The actual deposited value may be compared to the indicated deposit value by reviewing the numerical indicia corresponding to thickness recorded on the deposited item such as is shown in FIG. 3. Alternatively transaction number data or other machine-readable indicia may be correlated electronically with the indicated deposit value. Of course in cases where the actual deposit value corresponds to the indicated deposit value, the user has deposited the indicated amount and the account of the user or other appropriate entity is credited for the indicated deposit value.

In some circumstances however, the indicated deposit value does not correspond to the actual deposit value of the item. At the deposit verification facility persons verifying deposits may inspect deposited items for damage. This may include for example, torn deposit envelopes or envelopes that have not been sealed or which appear to have been cut or otherwise opened. An example of a damaged deposit envelope is indicated 116 in FIG. 7. Damaged or otherwise opened deposit envelopes may have no contents or may still have items contained therein. When items are still contained therein, there is a question of whether all of the items are still housed within the damaged deposit item.

When persons responsible for verifying deposits are faced with damaged or otherwise open deposited items such as envelopes, questions may arise as to whether the items were damaged and/or empty at the time of deposit or whether the content was lost or stolen after deposit in the machine. By reviewing the indicia recorded on the deposited item which corresponds to thickness and/or other properties, such disputes can often be resolved.

For example if the deposited item was empty at the time of deposit, then the recorded thickness information related to the item may be used to verify that the thickness of the empty envelope at the time of verification corresponds to the thickness at the time of deposit. This is indicated with regard to damaged envelope 116 in FIG. 7 which shows that the thickness information at a plurality of locations is constant and corresponds to the thickness of the empty damaged envelope. This suggests for example that a user may be attempting to perpetrate a fraud by deliberately depositing an empty envelope which is damaged and which the user may later contend contained materials corresponding to the indicated deposit value. In cases where the recorded thickness or other properties show that the indicated deposit value was not correct, the institution operating the machine will not credit the user's account for the indicated deposit value.

In other circumstances an open or damaged deposit item may have corresponding thickness or other data which shows that the deposited item contained items at the time of deposit which are not contained at the time of verification. In such circumstances it will be known that such items have disappeared subsequent to the time of deposit. The institution operating the automated banking machine may credit the user's account for the indicated deposit value, as it is therefore documented that at least some of the deposited items had apparently been lost through error or misappropriation.

Of course in some embodiments where the data concerning deposited items includes magnetic sensors and detailed profile information, relatively accurate data showing the type and number of deposited items can be obtained from data stored in memory. Such data may in some embodiments be accessed directly from the data store in the banking machine. Alternatively data in the machine may be transmitted through the network to other computers which can be accessed at the deposit verification facility. Of course numerous approaches may be used within the scope of the invention depending on the capabilities and needs of the particular system.

At the verification facility, verification may often be successfully accomplished through manual opening and review of deposited items. Alternatively the verification facility may employ devices similar to those in the machine for purposes of measuring the thickness of the envelope and determining other properties of deposited items. This may include for example passing deposited items through such devices prior to opening them at the facility to determine if there has been any change in the properties of the item between the time that it was deposited and the time that it has reached the facility. This may be done as part of a process for inspecting for damage to the particular deposited item. In cases where machine readable indicia is used on deposited items, a reader for the indicia and thickness sensing (or other property sensing) device at the facility can be used to compare and identify deposited items where properties of the item have changed from the time of deposit. In addition, if a deposited item has been damaged in the transport or has come open, the properties associated with the deposited item at the time of acceptance in the machine may be useful in determining which open or loose items found within a deposit holding container correspond to which deposit item. Various approaches may be used within the spirit and scope of the invention.

In alternative embodiments for example, the banking machine may detect possible situations where a user has attempted to deposit an envelope or other item that is damaged or empty. In such situations the banking machine may operate to refuse to accept such an item for deposit. Such systems may prevent attempted fraud and/or avoid situations where a user forgot to place the intended deposit items in the envelope.

In some automated banking machines deposit envelopes are provided for a user's convenient use. U.S. Pat. No. 5,590,609 the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference, shows an automated banking machine which provides envelopes to a user in which deposit items may be included. In some embodiments the envelopes provided maybe of a known size and/or thickness. Sensors in the path for receipt of deposit envelopes may sense for size and/or thickness properties and the computer operating in the ATM may be programmed to have the machine reject and return to the customer deposit envelopes that do not meet the acceptable size or thickness parameters. This may be done for example by the controller in the machine reversing the deposit transport.

For example, an exemplary automated banking machine may sense for envelope thickness greater than the known empty thickness of the deposit envelopes provided by the machine. The banking machine may be programmed to instruct customers that they must place their deposit into a machine provided envelope, even if the customer has planned to provide their own deposit containing envelope. The machine may instruct the user to place their nonstandard envelope within the machine provided envelope. In such an embodiment if the sensors sensing thickness of a deposited envelope do not sense thickness greater than that of a standard machine provided envelope, the banking machine may return the envelope to the customer and may output a request to the customer to put the deposit items in the envelope and/or for the customer to use one of the envelopes the machine provides. In this way the risk of the machine receiving an empty envelope is reduced.

In other embodiments the banking machine may have sensors which sense the size, area and/or boundaries of the edges of a deposited envelope. In this way if a deposited envelope does not correspond to the expected configuration of a standard machine provided envelope, the deposited envelope may be rejected by the deposit accepting mechanism.

In other embodiments deposit items may have common properties. For example, the expected deposit items may include coins, currency bills and checks, each of which have magnetic properties. The magnetic properties of the machine provided envelopes may be nonexistent or within a known range. The banking machine may sense for elevated magnetic properties for the deposited envelopes to indicate that either cash or checks have been placed therein. Envelopes that do not have such elevated magnetic properties may be rejected. Of course in some situations the banking machine may sense for other or additional properties and use that as a basis for accepting or rejecting the deposit.

It should be understood that in some embodiments the banking machine may operate to sense for combinations of properties and may not accept the envelope if any one or more properties is not within the anticipated limits. In some embodiments envelope deposits that are rejected may be returned to the customer. In other embodiments suspect deposits may be held by the machine for analysis and/or as evidence.

In further alternative embodiments the banking machine may dispense an empty envelope to the customer for use that does not have predetermined thickness, size, magnetic or other properties. In some exemplary embodiments the properties of interest may be measured by sensors in the banking machine at the time the empty envelope is being dispensed to the customer from the machine. The properties of interest could again be measured for the envelope when the user deposits the envelope with deposit items into the machine. If an expected change (or absence of change) in thickness, size, magnetic properties or other sensed properties is not detected when the user deposits the envelope back in the machine, the deposit may be rejected.

Alternatively or in addition, indicia corresponding to properties of interest may be printed on the envelope by the machine prior to or at the time of dispense of the empty envelope. In addition or alternatively such information may be stored in a database. This information may then be compared to that for the deposited envelope. This may be done at the time of accepting the deposit and used as a basis to reject the deposit by the machine or may be done subsequently when the contents of the deposit envelopes are being verified. Of course other approaches may be taken depending on system and operator requirements.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of an alternative deposit mechanism for accepting deposits such as envelopes within an automated banking machine. This deposit mechanism generally indicated 120 includes an outer end 122 which includes a deposit opening through which deposit items are accepted. Access though the opening at outer end 22 is controlled by a gate mechanism as later discussed. Items which pass into the deposit accepting mechanism 120 through the deposit opening at outer end 122 are moved through a transport 124. Items accepted in the transport are moved past the recording device 126 which in the exemplary embodiment comprises an inkjet printer. Deposited items are moved by the transport 124 into a deposit holding container 128. As later discussed in detail, in some exemplary embodiments the deposit holding container may be a removable container which is removably mounted within a chest or other secure area of the ATM. In the exemplary embodiment a dividing wall 130 may serve as a portion of an upper wall bounding the chest portion and separating it from the cabinet portion above. This is useful in some embodiments in which the envelope holding container for empty envelopes or portions thereof which serve as the envelope supply, may be accessed by persons who do not have access to the secure chest. Of course this approach is exemplary and in other embodiments other approaches may be used.

The exemplary form of the deposit mechanism 120 further includes an envelope storage area 132 which is alternatively referred to as an empty envelope holding container. Envelope storage area 132 includes in operative connection therewith devices for selectively picking and separating a single envelope from a stack of envelopes stored in the envelope storage area. Such a picked envelope is then transported through the transport 124 and delivered to a user of the banking machine through the deposit opening at the outer end 122. It should be understood that in some embodiments envelopes being provided to a user and/or envelopes received may be marked in the manner previously discussed. Alternatively in other embodiments no marking or alternative forms of marking may be done.

The envelope storage and delivery mechanism used in connection with an exemplary embodiment is described with reference to FIG. 9-18. The exemplary embodiment includes an envelope storage and dispensing device 134 which is alternatively referred to as an envelope dispenser, shown in FIG. 9-11. The envelope storage and dispensing device includes envelope storage area 132 which is bounded by a movable floor member 136 which serves as a floor support and an overlying push plate 138. Push plate 138 is vertically movable in a pair of disposed slots 140 in supporting connection with the housing of the deposit accepting mechanism. The push plate 138 is also rotatable about pivots 142. This facilitates rotating the push plate from a biasing position biasing the stack of envelopes downward, to a biasing position in which the push plate extends outside the storage area, so that envelopes or other deposit items may be readily added to or removed from the storage area 132. Push plate 138 when returned to the biasing position in the storage area applies a downward force to envelopes in the envelope storage area.

Floor member 136 is supported on a base 144. Floor member 136 is also rotatable about a pivot 146 which serves as a movable support and which is positioned adjacent to a rear area of the floor member 136. Further, the floor member has positioned adjacent thereto vertically extending guide plates 148 which serve to bound the empty envelope holding container and maintain the stack of deposit envelopes in supporting connection with the floor member.

Exemplary floor member 136 includes thereon a disposed pair of upward extending rails 150. The rails are useful in reducing surface tension forces that resist envelope movement over the surface of the floor member. Three slots 152 extend in the floor member at an end disposed from the pivot 146. Each slot 152 is aligned with a respective pick belt which serves as a movable picker member. The central slot is aligned with a belt 154 which extends in centered relation relative to the floor member. The slots 152 on either side of belt 154 are each aligned with a pick belt 156. Belts 154 and 156 are selectively driven responsive to the controller by a drive. The pick belts extend between rollers 158, 160 mounted on shafts 162, 164 in operative connection with the floor member 136. Adjacent to an end of member 136 disposed away from the pivot 146 is a pair of transversely disposed cams 166. (See FIG. 11.) As later discussed in detail, cams 166 serve as part of a mechanism which is operative to cause the floor member to rotate about the pivot 146 and to move up and down relative to the upper surface of pick belts 154, 156.

Bounding the forward side of the envelope storage area 132 is a vertically extending wall 168. Wall 168 has in supporting connection therewith a stripper member 170. Stripper member 170 is movably mounted in supporting connection with wall 168 and is movable responsive to an operatively connected drive. In the exemplary embodiment the stripper member serves as a stripper to generally prevent all but one envelope from being moved from the stack in a spring loaded fashion by a spring 171 which serves as a downward biasing device for purposes that are later discussed. As shown in FIGS. 11, 13 and 15 the stripper assembly includes a pair of disposed angled friction pads 172. In the exemplary embodiment the friction pads 172 are comprised of resilient material and are angled so as to provide a resilient strip surface that extends somewhat further downward with increasing distance from the stack. Further, it should be noted that in the exemplary embodiment that the end of floor member 136 that is disposed the furthest from pivot 146 extends forward so that slots therein extend beneath the resilient strip surfaces friction pads 172. In the exemplary embodiment the friction pads 172 are selectively movable in a spring loaded fashion with the stripper assembly 170.

In the exemplary embodiment shaft 162 has mounted thereon a pair of pinch rolls 174. Pinch rolls 174 are in abutting aligned relation with transport drive rolls 176 (see FIG. 13) which rotate on a shaft 178 which is driven by a drive (not shown). Transport drive rolls 176 are driven in the direction of Arrow T as shown in FIGS. 13 and 15 during the envelope dispensing operation. Transport drive rolls 176 each have supported thereon a transport belt 180. The movement of transport drive rolls 176 and transport belt 180 is operative to engage and cause the rotation of pinch rolls 174. Because pinch rolls 174 are attached to shaft 162, rollers 158 and the pick belts supported thereon are also driven by the drive which powers the transport drive rolls. Of course this approach is exemplary and in other embodiments other approaches may be used.

As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, transport drive belts 180 are in operative connection with a tensioning roll 182. Tensioning roll 182 is mounted on a tension lever 184 which is in operative connection with a spring or other suitable biasing device to bias the tensioning roll counterclockwise about a pivot 186 shown in FIG. 15. The engagement of the transport belt 180 with the tensioning roll causes the transport belt to extend above a gap 188. Gap 188 extends between guides 190, 192. As later discussed, envelopes being deposited into the machine are moved by the transport belts to the gap 188. Once envelopes are moved through the gap they pass through a deposit envelope opening 189 through the dividing wall into the storage area within deposit holding container 128.

As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, base 144 includes a tray portion 194 and a baffle 196 which is alternatively referred to as a plate. Baffle 196 is movably mounted in supporting connection with the tray portion so as to be slidably movable thereon along the direction of Arrow U in FIG. 17. In the exemplary embodiment baffle 194 is moved by a drive screw 198 which is selectively driven responsive to the controller in either rotational direction by a drive 199 and pulley assembly 200.

Baffle 196 includes an opening there through 202. The tray portion 194 includes a corresponding opening 204. Tray opening 204 corresponds to the position of the deposit envelope opening 189 in the dividing wall bounding the chest when the mechanism 120 is in an operative position. Tray opening 204 is positioned in generally underlying relation of the gap 188. As can be appreciated through the selective operation of drive 199, the baffle opening 202 may be selectively moved so as to align the opening in the baffle with the opening in the tray. In such circumstances envelopes which pass into the gap 188 are enabled to move into the deposit holding container 128. Likewise when the baffle is moved by the drive so as to have the opening in the baffle disposed from the opening of the tray, access to the deposit holding container is blocked. Thus the portion of the baffle or plate 196 which moves to block access through the gap to the deposit envelope opening serves as a gate.

Baffle 196 further includes therein a pair of cam slots 206. As shown in FIG. 18, cam slots 206 are aligned with and sized to accept cams 166 which extend in underlying relation of the floor member 136. As a result movement of the baffle relative to the tray also enables the floor member to be selectively moved up and down in the area adjacent to the pick belts at an end disposed of the pivot 146. This interconnection causes the supporting floor supporting the envelope stack to move with the portion of the baffle that serves as the gate.

Baffle 196 further has in operative connection therewith an actuating roller 208. Roller 208 in the exemplary embodiment is in operative connection with a cam member which is engaged with a cam portion on an arm 210. Arm 210 is movably mounted to the tray member through a pivot mount 212. (See FIG. 18.) As later explained in detail, movement of the arm 210 through engagement of roller 208 and the cam facilitates maintaining the proper operating condition of the inkjet printhead used in the exemplary embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, transport belts 180 in the area of tensioning roller 182 extend adjacent to a transport which includes a platen 214. Transport belts 180 are also operative to engage a pair of toothed rolls 216 which extend through openings in the transport platen 214. The toothed rolls rotate in coordination with the transport belts so as to facilitate the movement of envelopes there through.

As represented in FIGS. 19-21, transport platen 214 in the exemplary embodiment has a surface that has a curved portion and which extends to a delivery section 218 that extends adjacent to the outer end 122 of the transport. Platen 214 includes an item supporting surface with a curved portion 215 through which a plurality of aligned openings which serve as apertures through which freely rotatable belt support rollers 220 extend. The belt support rollers 220 are positioned such that the transport belts 180 move in overlying relation thereof.

In the exemplary embodiment elastic transport belts 180 are journaled about outlet rolls 222 which rotate on a movable outlet shaft 224 as later explained. Pressure applying rolls 226 are spring biased by leaf springs 227 and serve to maintain downward pressure on the transport belts in the delivery section 216. The biasing action of rolls 182 and 226 serve to bias the adjacent flights of belts 180 toward engagement of curved portion 215. Guide rolls 228 serve to guide the return flights of the transport belts 180 between the transport drive rolls 176 and the outlet rolls 222.

In the exemplary embodiment of the deposit mechanism 120, when the automated banking machine operates to conduct a deposit transaction for a user, the controller operates to dispense an envelope from the envelope storage area 132 and to deliver the envelope to the user of the machine through an opening at the outer end 122 of the transport 124. The envelope dispenser in the ATM is operative to dispense an empty envelope. This is accomplished in an exemplary embodiment by the controller operating the drive 199 so as to cause the cam slots 206 in the baffle 196 to move so that the cams 166 extending on the underside of floor member 136 move downward into engagement with cam slots 206. This causes the pick belts which serve as a picker to extend above the surface of the floor member and the rails, and engage the end envelope bounding the lower end of the envelope stack 207. The motor driving shaft 178 operates to rotate in the direction of Arrow T so that the pick belts 154, 156 urge the bottom end envelope in the stack 207 to move along a first direction toward wall 168. Further, the stripper assembly 170 is disposed downward such that the angled friction pads 172 are disposed downward such that at the side toward the stack they are about one envelope thickness above the plane of the lowered floor member 136 as shown in FIG. 13.

The action of the pick belts 154, 156 urge the lowest envelope to the right as shown in FIG. 13 into engagement with the downwardly angled resilient strip surface on the friction pads. Such engagement resists movement of the envelope by engaging the side of the envelope opposed of the pick belts and generally causes the lowermost end envelope bounding the stack to be separated from the stack.

The force of the pick belts and particularly areas of raised knobby tread 234 on pick belts 156 which serve as a cog portion, engage the lower face of the end envelope and force the leading edge thereof into the nip formed by drive belts 180 supported on rollers 176 and pinch rolls 174 which are rotated on shaft 162. Engagement of the leading edge of a lowermost envelope in the nip formed by the rolls causes the envelope to move with the belt flights across the gap 188 and into engagement with the toothed rolls 216.

As best shown in FIG. 14, the exemplary configuration of the stripper member 170 and the angled stripper pads 172 achieve imparting a waffle configuration to the lowermost envelope 230. The deformed configuration of the envelope further helps to facilitate separation of the lowermost envelope in the stack from other envelopes.

A further feature of the exemplary dispenser mechanism for empty envelopes is that empty envelopes containing features for sealing of the envelopes by an ATM user may be accommodated. For example, empty envelopes that include peel-off strips may be positioned in the empty envelope holding container with such peel-off strips facing downward toward the floor support. As generally such peel-off strips covering the adhesive are at the transverse margins of the envelopes, the envelopes can be moved by engagement with the pick belts without engaging the peel-off strips. This enables the envelopes to be picked without damaging the peel-off strips and without encountering significant differences in frictional properties which may result in skewing of the envelopes and jams. Such envelopes with peel-off strips may be desirable, as it eliminates the need for users to lick or otherwise apply moisture to deposit envelopes to seal them after materials have been placed therein. Alternatively, other types of sealing approaches may be used with regard to empty deposit envelopes. These may include, for example, fold-out flaps or other approaches to exposing adhesive material that is used to seal the envelope once materials have been placed therein by a user. The exemplary dispensing mechanism, with the belt flights and cog portion which serve as a picker and angled overlying resilient surfaces which serve as a stripper, are well adapted for individually separating such envelopes. Of course the construction described is exemplary and in other embodiments other approaches may be used.

As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, as the picked envelope 230 moves with the transport belts 180 over the gap 188, the leading edge of the envelope engages rotating toothed rolls 216. The toothed rolls direct the leading edge of the envelope to be engaged between the surface of the transport platen 214 and the opposed platen surface facing flights of the transport belts 180 adjacent thereto. An envelope sensor 232 comprises movable members that extend through a plurality of slots in the platen and is positioned to sense the leading edge of the envelope in connection with the transport belts adjacent to the platen. In response to such sensing of the envelope, the controller in the exemplary embodiment is operative to cause the baffle 196 to translate relative to the tray portion and to cause the cams 166 to move out of the cam slots 206. This raises the floor member 136 upward in the area of the friction pads 172. In the exemplary embodiment because the stripper 170 is mounted in biased relation relative to the wall 168, a downward clamping force is applied to the picked envelope as it continues to move out of the stack as a result of the driving force imparted thereto by the transport belts and pinch rolls 174. In the exemplary embodiment this clamping force on the moving envelope is further operative to assist in separating the end envelope at the bottom of the stack from other envelopes when they tend to be pulled along with the picked envelope. Further, the raising of the floor member 136 is operative to cause the rails on the surface of the floor member to again be disposed above the moving pick belts. This disengages the pick belts from further envelopes in the stack and reduces the risk that additional envelopes will be picked.

Once the picked envelope 230 has moved from the stack such that it has cleared the pinch point formed by the transport belts and pinch rolls 174, the envelope is moved in engagement with the transport belts between the surface of the transport platen 214 and belt support rolls toward the outlet rolls 222. As this occurs the gate adjacent to the opening in outer end 122 is opened in a manner later explained, and the envelope is driven until the envelope is sensed by sensors as extending through the opening and available to the customer, at which time the controller ceases further movement of the transport belts.

The exemplary embodiment of the envelope dispensing mechanism is useful in that envelopes are reliably stripped both by the stripping action of the angled friction pads as well as the wavelike waffle contour that is imparted to the envelope by the picker and stripper members. Further, reliable stripping of the lowest end envelope from other envelopes in the stack is generally assured by the clamping action which occurs as a result of raising the floor member 136 after the envelope has moved away from the stack a sufficient distance.

A further useful aspect of the exemplary embodiment is that the stripper member is spring biased but movable in response to excessive thickness. Thus if for some reason a substantial quantity of envelopes cannot be separated from one another, the entire stack may be moved outward past the stripper member and through the transport to the user. This avoids malfunctions and placing the machine out of service when such conditions occur. In the exemplary embodiment the stripper is operative to allow approximately 3.5 millimeters of envelope thickness to pass through without jamming. This represents a substantial number of envelopes and may reduce the risk of a machine malfunction.

A further useful aspect of the exemplary embodiment previously discussed, is that the mechanism is operative to handle envelopes that have wax peel-off strips on the sides or edges of the envelope. Such peel-off strips may be loaded into the envelope storage area with such strips facing in a downward direction. As the exemplary embodiment does not include any resilient engaging surfaces which apply opposing forces and which may contribute to such peel-offs coming off the envelope during separation of the end envelope from the stack, each envelope may be moved with the peel-off strip intact on the underside of the envelope to a user.

A further useful aspect of the exemplary embodiment is that the pick belts include raised segments 234 which serve as a high force cog portion. As best shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the raised segments on pick belts 156 are comprised of enlarged knobby tread portions which extend higher than the surrounding tread. In the exemplary embodiment the raised segments 234 are arranged on pick belts 156, 180 degrees apart. These cog portions provide additional friction and pushing force so as to move the lowermost envelope from the stack.

A further useful aspect employed in the exemplary embodiment to facilitate the picking of envelopes is the use of the stepper motor for driving the rolls and belts. In the exemplary embodiment the stepper motor is in operative connection with control circuitry which in response to the controller causes the stepper motor to operate in an oscillating fashion. In some embodiments the motor may operate in a vibratory manner with vibration frequency but which always has a desired net forward drive on the envelope. This results in vibration with desired forward or backward movement which further helps to separate envelopes from the envelope stack. For example in an exemplary embodiment the controller may be programmed to determine whether the leading edge of an envelope is sensed as having reached the sensor 232 at a particular time after the effort to pick an envelope is initiated. In response to the controller failing to sense the envelope within the desired time, the controller operates to cause the vibratory action of the motor to be commenced. This vibratory action and the resulting shaking and oscillating motions of the parts in engagement with the envelope is generally operative to cause the lowermost envelope to be picked. Of course it should be appreciated that further recovery routines such as driving the belts and rolls in a back and forth motion as well as moving the baffle back and forth to raise and lower the floor member of the envelope holding bin may also be conducted so as to facilitate end envelope separation.

In an exemplary embodiment the stepper motor or other drive is also used to provide an audible indication responsive to the controller. This is achieved, for example, by the controller operating to drive the stepper motor in a vibratory fashion so as to produce an audible output from the motor and components connected thereto. This may avoid the need in some ATMs for having a separate audible output device. Thus, for example, the controller may be programmed to indicate to a user of the ATM that an empty deposit envelope has been picked and moved through the transport through the deposit opening, and is ready for the user to take. Upon sensing the empty envelope in this position, the controller may cause the stepper motor to be driven to vibrate and provide an audible "beep" or periodic audible signal so as to indicate to the user that they need to take action. Audible signals may also be provided in other circumstances such as to indicate an malfunction. In some embodiments different audible signals may be produced through vibratory action. Of course these approaches are exemplary.

A further useful aspect of the exemplary embodiment is that the floor member 136 generally operates to maintain the lowermost envelope out of engagement with the picking belts during the times that an envelope is not being picked. This helps to maintain a desirable contour for the lowermost envelope so as to facilitate the picking thereof when the floor member is lowered. It should be understood that the features described in connection with picking envelopes may also be applied to picking other types of media such as sheets.

A further useful aspect of the exemplary embodiment is that the portion of the baffle member which serves as a gate is configured so as to maintain security by keeping access to a deposit holding container through the gap 188 blocked at appropriate times while an envelope is being delivered to the user. This further provides additional security so as to minimize the risk that deposited items can be fished out of the container by criminals. Of course many other additional advantages are obtained through the principles employed in the exemplary embodiment.

In the exemplary embodiment the delivery section 218 adjacent to the outer area 122 is adapted to both deliver empty envelopes to a user from the machine as well as to accept envelopes for deposit into the machine. Such accepted envelopes may have uniform or non-uniform contours. As shown in FIG. 22, outlet rolls 222 are supported on outlet shaft 224. In the exemplary embodiment the elastic transport belts 180 extend around the outlet rolls 222. Belt support rolls 220 extend through openings in a base surface of the platen in the delivery section and are in abutting relation with the outlet rolls 222 when an envelope is not extending in between.

In the exemplary embodiment the delivery section 218 includes side walls 236 which transversely bound the transport. Side walls 236 include therein generally upward extending angled slots 238. The angled slots 238 are sized so as to accept the opposed ends of an outlet shaft 234 therein in movable relation. Circular guides 240 positioned on the outlet shaft 224 facilitate movement of the outer shaft 224 relative to the slot. Further, in the exemplary embodiment angled slots 238 are angled such that the tension applied by the elastic transport belts 180 is operative to bias the outlet rolls 222 and the outlet shaft 224 toward the lower end of the slot. This facilitates maintaining the transport belts and rolls in engagement with the envelope.

As shown in FIG. 23, in the exemplary embodiment the outer end 122 of the transport is provided with a cover housing referred to herein as a bezel 242 which includes an opening 244 therein through which envelopes pass to and from a user. The bezel 242 is operatively connected to the delivery section 218. Further movably mounted in underlying relation of the bezel of the exemplary embodiment is a movable gate member 246 which is later discussed in detail. In FIG. 23 the gate member 246 is shown in an open position. As shown in FIG. 23, a sensor 248 is provided within the transport inboard of the outlet rolls 222. In the exemplary embodiment sensor 248 comprises a plurality of movable members or fingers that are movable and extend through transversely disposed slots in locations across the transport. The members move in the slots in response to the presence or absence of envelopes in that position. FIG. 25 shows the plurality of sensor members associated with sensor 248 disposed in areas across the transport. Further, the nature of the sensor members further assists in helping to move the envelopes by reducing surface tension between the envelopes and the base of the transport. In the exemplary embodiment, the sensor members are in operative connection with an electrical switch, photo interrupter, or other sensor which provides a suitable signal to the controller. A central rib 250 is also provided adjacent the outlet to reduce surface tension and facilitate envelope movement.

FIG. 24 is representative of the useful properties of the exemplary mounting provided for outlet shaft 224 and outlet rolls 222. The ability of the shaft to move in the angled slots 238 responsive to envelopes of varying thickness facilitates the ability thereof to conform the height of the envelopes so that the transport belts 180 may engage the envelopes sufficiently so as to move the envelopes therein. Further, the elastic nature of the transport belts in combination with the angled slots 238 serves to bias the outlet rolls 222 along with the transport belts into engagement with the envelopes. FIG. 26 shows an exemplary envelope containing coin 252. In envelope 252 the coin is shown disposed to one side of the envelope. The clearance provided within the transport enables this coin containing envelope to be moved by the transport belts into the transport. An alternative envelope is shown within the transport in FIG. 27. This envelope 254 contains folded notes which enter the transport and underlie the outlet rolls 222. As represented in FIG. 27, the outlet rolls and the transport belts supported thereon are enabled to move so as to allow the envelope to pass while remaining in engagement with the envelope. This generally enables the envelope to be transported without tearing or breaking open.

Further, as can be appreciated in FIGS. 19 and 20, the displaceable character of the pressure applying rolls 226 which in the exemplary embodiment are mounted to be displaceable on curved leaf springs 227 help to maintain the engagement of the transport belts with the envelopes after the envelope is moved past the outlet rolls 222. Further, the flexible biased mounting of the pressure rolls 226 enables envelopes of varying contours and thickness to pass. In addition, the curved portion 215 of the platen 214 and the forces applied by the overlying transport belts maintain a transported envelope in captured relation between the surface of the platen, belt support rolls and the belts so as to facilitate movement thereof. As represented by the force vector arrows in FIGS. 19 and 20, the force of the belts serves to maintain such engagement. In the exemplary embodiment this enables envelopes of uneven contour to be moved intact to the area of the gap 188 from which the envelopes may pass into the deposit holding container 128. Of course it should be understood that these approaches are exemplary. However, the principles described may be applied in many embodiments to achieve the transport of envelopes or other media or stacks thereof having regular or irregular contours.

In an exemplary embodiment the rolls used for the outlet rolls 222 of the transport and the outlet shaft 224 may have the structures shown in FIGS. 28 through 30. As shown in these Figures the rolls 222 are shown without the crowned outer cover that engages the transport belts when the rolls are in operation. In some exemplary embodiments the outlet rolls 222 are free wheeling relative to the shaft. Further, in some exemplary embodiments it is desirable that the rolls rotate in either direction with low resistance to friction, be readily assembled on the shaft and be reliable in terms of maintaining engagement with and their position relative to the shaft. In the exemplary embodiment this is achieved by the rolls being formed with a body having an integral bushing portion 256. Bushing portion 256 terminates at an inboard end at an annular flat surface 258. The annular flat surface 258 is adapted to engage in slidable relation with a radially extending annular step surface 260 on the shaft. The engagement of the annular flat surface with the radially extending step surface is operative to limit the axial movement of the roller relative to the shaft.

The exemplary bushing portion 256 includes thereon at an opposed annular end from the annular flat surface, a plurality of radially inward extending deformable fingers 262. In the exemplary embodiment the inward extending fingers have outward edges that extend radially inward relative to the bore 264 which is sized to accept the shaft and which extends through the bushing portion. In the exemplary embodiment the inward extending fingers 262 as well as the bushing portion are comprised of generally rigid but resilient material such that the inward extending fingers may deform but quickly reassume their original inward extending contour.

The shaft 224 of the exemplary embodiment includes therein annular recesses 266. The annular recesses 266 are axially disposed from the step surfaces a distance generally corresponding to the axial distance between the annular flat surface 258 and the inward extending fingers 262 of the rolls. Further, the size and distance between the step surface and annular recesses is such that in some exemplary embodiments the rolls 222 are enabled to readily rotate relative to the shaft when the roller is mounted thereon such that the inward extending fingers are extended into and movable in the adjacent annular recess.

A further useful aspect of the exemplary embodiment is that the rollers 222 may be mounted on the shaft 224 without the use of tools or fasteners. As represented in FIGS. 28 and 30, the rolls are moved relatively axially onto the shaft so that the shaft is extended into the bore 264 of the bushing portion. The inward extending fingers 262 are deformed from their original position temporarily as the roll is moved axially inward relative to the shaft. However, once the inward extending fingers reach the annular recesses 266, the fingers resume their normal shape. This engagement of the fingers within the annular recesses serves to hold the rollers in position relative to the shaft. Further, when the roller is moved axially such that the finger portions engage in the annular recess, the annular flat surface comes into abutting relation with the annular step surface on the shaft. Such engagement prevents further axial movement of the roller which may cause the fingers to move out of the annular recess. Once additional axial force moving the roller is stopped, the engagement of the fingers in the annular recess causes the annular flat surface in the exemplary embodiment to be adjacent to but disposed slightly away from the annular step surface, so as to enable the generally free rotation of the roller relative to the shaft. In this position the annular flat surface 258 of the roller is disposed sufficiently adjacent to the corresponding step surface 260 such that the roller is enabled to freely rotate relative to the shaft but is generally prevented from moving further axially inward by engagement with the step surface. Further, in this exemplary embodiment the tapered contour of the inwardly extending fingers 262 causes forces tending to move the rollers axially outward on the shaft to be resisted by engagement of the outer ends of the fingers with the radially outward extending surfaces on the axially outward side of the annual recesses 266. As can be appreciated, this approach and method provides a ready low-friction mounting for the rollers relative to the shaft and reliable low-friction positioning and rotation of the rollers relative to the shaft.

In the exemplary embodiment the principles described in conjunction with the mounting of outlet rolls 222 may also be applied to other rolls. FIG. 31 shows an exemplary form of the guide rolls 228 used in the transport for guiding the return flight of the transport belts. Guide rolls 228 are shown mounted on a guide shaft 268. The guide rolls 228 include structures similar to that described in connection with rolls 222 to enable the ready mounting and rotation of the rolls relative to the shaft. Of course it should be understood that these approaches are exemplary and in other embodiments other approaches may be used. Specifically and without limitation, in some embodiments specific features may be included for purposes of providing rolls that are in fixed engagement so that the rolls rotate with the drive shaft. This may be accomplished for example by including interengaging projections and recesses on the rolls and shaft structures. Such structures may include axially extending or radially extending projections or a combination of both, depending on the nature of the application and the nature of the forces being transmitted. Those having skill in the art may devise various approaches for achieving the desired degree of force transmission between the rolls and shafts.

In some exemplary embodiments of the deposit accepting mechanism 120, difficulties may be presented by envelopes that enter or exit the transport in a manner that is skewed relative to the direction of movement of the transport belts 180. For example in FIG. 41, an envelope 270 is shown with an edge extending that is folded on the right side of the transport as shown due to envelope skewing. This may occur for example by the envelope 270 having become skewed in the transport while being dispensed and having moved outward through the transport in a skewed position. Alternatively, such skewing may have occurred due to a user inserting the envelope in a skewed manner. FIG. 40 is a top view showing the envelope with the folded edge within the transport and having an edge thereof adjacent to the outlet shaft 224. FIG. 39 is representative of the envelope 270 being entered into the transport for deposit in a skewed manner.

As can best be appreciated from FIG. 41, in the exemplary embodiment the skewed nature of an envelope can present problems in operation. Such problems may occur both in envelope dispensing and in receiving envelopes. For example, if an envelope is being dispensed to a user and it is skewed in the manner shown in FIG. 41, the folded end of the envelope may be obstructed in passing outward by the outlet shaft 224. When this occurs, a jam will be sensed adjacent the outlet and/or the envelope may be torn or damaged when presented to the user. Likewise, skewed envelopes may also be a problem with regard to deposit accepting operations. For example, an envelope may be accepted into the transport and then due to the envelope having certain sensed parameters that suggests that it should be returned to the customer, the controller operates to reverse the transport belts 180 so as to pass the envelope back to the user. If in these circumstances the envelope is skewed and the trailing edge is already moved into the transport past the outlet shaft 224, the folded edge of the envelope may catch on the shaft. This may result in an inability to return the envelope and/or envelope tearing or damage.

In some alternative embodiments the problems associated with skewed envelopes can be reduced through use of envelope guides. Such envelope guides may operate to urge skewed envelopes to assume a particular contour or configuration which more readily enables them to pass into and/or out of the transport without engaging other structures which may cause damage, jams or tearing. An exemplary embodiment of such guides is shown in FIGS. 34-37. Envelope guides 272 and 274 are mounted on opposed sides of the transport belts in supporting connection with the side walls of the transport. Of course as can be appreciated in FIG. 34, the left side transport belt is not shown for purposes of clarity. While in the exemplary embodiment the envelope guides are mounted in fixed relation relative to side walls 236, in other embodiments such guides may be movably mounted and/or spring loaded.

As the envelope guides 272 and 274 are mirror images of each other, only guide 272 will be described in detail. The guide 272 includes a contoured generally vertically extending surface 276. In the exemplary embodiment the vertical guide 276 extends in a generally inward depending shape so as to be extending further inward relative to the transport with increasing proximity to the outlet shaft 224. The exemplary form of the envelope guide 272 further includes a generally downward facing surface 278. Downward facing surface 278 is tapered so as to be closer to the platen surface of the transport with increasing proximity to the outlet shaft. This urges items to move below the outlet shaft. Of course as can be appreciated, the exemplary form of the envelope guide 272 has a vertically extending termination surface 280 that is sufficiently disposed from the outlet shaft 224 so as not to interfere with the movement thereof. This is shown in FIG. 35.

As best represented in FIGS. 34 and 36, an envelope 282 which is skewed relative to the transport is enabled to be more readily moved inward and outward past the outlet rolls 222. This results because if the envelope is being dispensed and is skewed in the manner shown in FIG. 34, the leading folded edge of the envelope engages the downward facing surfaces of the envelope guides and is caused to be deformed in a manner so that the folded edge of the envelope may move beneath the outlet shaft 224. This is further shown by the relationship between the downward facing surface 278 of the guide which extends generally at about the level of the bottom of the undeformed position of the outlet shaft 224. Thus as the envelope is moved outward, the folded edge passes beneath the outlet shaft and does not become caught thereon. Further, as can be appreciated the inward extending vertical guide surfaces facilitate envelopes which may be skewed sufficiently severely to be moved so that the folded over edges thereof engage the rollers and through the action thereof are moved to deform and pass under the outlet shaft.

Similar principles may be applied in circumstances where an envelope is inserted into the transport in a skewed manner such as is represented in FIG. 37. In such circumstances the skewed envelope will generally be deformed and folded so as to move past the outlet rolls 222. However, if it is necessary to reject the deposited envelope, the guides will operate so as to deform the edges so that the envelope can pass outward underneath the outlet shaft. Such approaches facilitate reliable movement of envelopes into and out of the transport despite such envelopes being skewed and may avoid envelope jams and provide increased reliability. Of course that these approaches are exemplary and in other embodiments other approaches may be used.

In some embodiments challenges may be faced by users attempting to insert relatively large and/or uneven contoured envelopes into the automated banking machine for deposit. In some cases such envelopes may not be readily accepted because the movably mounted outlet rolls 222 and the transport belts 180 supported thereon may not readily displace upwardly to a sufficient degree in response to engaging the envelope to enable an envelope of high thickness to enter in between. This may be particularly a challenge in situations where there are relatively thick or unevenly contoured envelopes which are comprised of low friction material. In such circumstances the transport belts may not have sufficient frictional engagement with the envelope so as to enable the envelope to move into the nip between the outlet rolls 222 and the associated transport belts and rollers 220. Such deficiencies may result in users trying to force envelopes into the transport. This increases the risks of envelope breakage and/or jamming.

To enable-envelopes having higher thicknesses and/or lower frictional properties to more readily enter the outer end of the envelope transport, some alternative embodiments of the invention may incorporate structures like that shown in FIGS. 32 and 33. In this exemplary alternative embodiment, the outlet rolls 222 are mounted relative to the outlet shaft 224 such that rotation of the outlet rolls responsive to the transport belts 180 cause shaft 224 to rotate. This may be done for example in the manner previously discussed by providing engaging connection between the outlet rolls 222 and the shaft. Of course alternative means for fixing the outlet rolls to the shaft such that they rotate together, may be employed.

In this exemplary alternative embodiment knobby rolls 284 are mounted to and rotate with the outlet shaft 224. For purposes of this disclosure, knobby rolls are rolls with outer surfaces which include projections that provide enhanced gripping action. In the exemplary embodiment knobby rolls 284 are mounted such that there is one position on the shaft in intermediate relation of the outlet rolls 222 as well as one on each outboard side between the outlet rolls 222 and the side wall 236. In the exemplary embodiment the knobby rolls are comprised of generally firm but resilient material in the area of engagement with the envelope. Such area of engagement is also comprised of material having sufficient gripping frictional properties so as to facilitate engaging and moving the envelopes. In the exemplary embodiment the knobby rolls 284 are comprised of generally a cross shape with generally curved outer surfaces 286. As best shown in FIG. 33, the exemplary form of the knobby rolls provide for the curved surfaces 286 to extend somewhat further radially outward than the surface of the transport belts 180 on the outlet rolls 222. However, the outer surfaces 286 are positioned so that when the outlet shaft 224 is at the bottom of the angled slot 238, the outer surfaces 286 are enabled to pass the base surface of the transport without engagement.

In operation of this alternative embodiment, the knobby rolls 284 rotate with the outlet rolls 222 and the transport belts 180. Upon engagement with an envelope the outer surfaces 286 of the knobby rolls provide additional traction on the envelope, urging it to move into the transport to facilitate movement of the outlet shaft 224 upward. In addition in the exemplary embodiment arcuate recesses 288 which extend between the outer surfaces 286 provide a further engaging force at the areas leading to the outer surfaces which further serve to help the shaft to move upward and to pull envelopes past the outlet shaft 224. This action enables the alternative transport to handle larger sized envelope thicknesses or uneven contours without damage to the envelopes. Further, as can be appreciated, the nature of the knobby rolls 284 is such that the rolls provide similar traction in moving envelopes in an outward direction through the transport. This may facilitate the rejection of envelopes within the transport that must be returned to the customer. The knobby rolls may also serve to facilitate the movement out of a transport of a stack of empty envelopes which due to malfunction in loading have become engaged together and which may only be moved from the transport as part of a stack. This may occur for example with certain types of envelopes which have tabs which may have been inadvertently interlocked or which through contamination or errors in the manufacturing process have become stuck together. Of course it should be understood that the structures described in connection with knobby rolls are exemplary and in other embodiments other approaches may be used.

A further useful aspect of the exemplary form of the envelope accepting mechanism 120 is that the mechanism may be more readily adapted for use in various types of automated banking machines. This is enabled by providing that the delivery section 218 may extend horizontally beyond curved portion 215 by varying distances. This may be useful for utilizing the mechanism within various types of machines where the position of the components within the machine relative to the opening at the outer end may vary. FIGS. 42-44 show an exemplary structure used in an embodiment of the invention so as to facilitate the delivery section 218 being of different lengths.

In the exemplary delivery section 218 shown, the delivery section is comprised of two interengaging sections 290 and 292. Delivery section 292 in this exemplary embodiment is positioned adjacent to the outer end 122 and includes the structures associated with the outlet rolls and shaft. Section 292 includes the side walls 236 having angled slots 238. Further as can be seen in FIGS. 42 and 43, Section 292 includes a base platen surface 294 having apertures 296 therein in which the belt support rollers 220 which underlie the outlet rolls 222 are mounted. In the exemplary embodiment the base surface 294 includes at opposed transverse ends, formed shaft supporting pockets 298. Shaft supporting pockets 298 are adapted for the receipt of shafts portions 299 therein (see FIG. 23), which shafts support the rollers which extend in the apertures when the unit is assembled. Further section 292 includes slots 300 through which the contacting movable fingers associated with envelope sensor 248 extend. Section 292 further includes an angled lead-in surface 302. Lead-in surface 302 in the exemplary embodiment is serrated for purposes of cooperating with the gate member 246 in a manner later discussed.

Section 290 also includes side walls 304 and a base platen surface 306. Base platen surface 306 includes apertures 308 for accepting belt support rollers as well as shaft supporting pockets 310 similar to shaft supporting pockets 298. In the exemplary form of section 290 the base surface 306 also includes slots 312 for purposes of allowing fingers associated with a mid-transport envelope sensor to movably extend there through. Further, sections 290 and 292 further include fastening openings 214 which are used for mounting further structures thereon such as rib 250. Of course it should be understood that these structures are exemplary and other embodiments or other structures may be used.

As best shown in FIG. 43, section 290 includes at a forward end thereof, a downward depending wall 316 with locator tabs 318 extending thereon. Recesses extend between the locator tabs 318. Section 292 includes a downward extending U-shaped wall 320. U-shaped wall 320 includes cutouts 322 therein. U-shaped wall 320 is configured such that the distance between the legs which comprise the U-shaped wall are spaced sufficiently apart to accept wall 316 of section 290 therein. Further, the cutouts 322 are sized and positioned such that tabs 318 are enabled to be engaged therewith in aligned relation. This is represented in FIG. 44. As can be appreciated when the tabs and cutouts are engaged, the walls 236 and 304 of sections 290 and 292 are generally aligned as are the adjacent portions of base platen surfaces 294 and 306. Further as shown in FIG. 44 in the exemplary embodiment, the areas where the sections come together are rounded so as to facilitate the movement of envelopes or other media through the area of the joint while minimizing the risk of snagging.

Further in the exemplary embodiment section 292 includes an ear portion 324. Ear portion 324 includes an aperture 326 therein. Aperture 326 is positioned in aligned relation with an opening 328 in side wall 304 when the sections 290 and 292 are assembled. The fastener device (not separately shown) is extended to engage the aperture 326 and the opening 328 so as to hold the sections in engaged relation.

As further shown in FIG. 43, section 290 includes a further folded wall portion 330 having cutouts 332 therein. Further section 290 includes ear portions 334 with apertures 336 therein. As can be appreciated, these structures are similar to those used to join sections 290 and 292 and may be used to engage section 290 with a further transport section such as a further horizontally extending section or an upper end of the curved platen 214.

As can be appreciated, in this exemplary embodiment the delivery section 218 which extends horizontally outward between the fascia of the automated banking machine and the curved portion of the transport, may be made of various lengths depending on the length and number of sections used. Therefore the envelope depository mechanism of the exemplary embodiment may be utilized in more types of machines. Further the structures employed are readily assembled and minimize the risk of envelopes snagging as they pass between the sections of the transport. Of course it should be understood that these structures are exemplary and in other embodiments, other structures and approaches may be used.

In an exemplary embodiment of the deposit mechanism 120, a gate device is employed to minimize the risk that perso