Patents by Inventor H. Thomas Graef

H. Thomas Graef has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7182329
    Abstract: An automated banking machine (10) includes at least one of sheet dispensing mechanisms (34, 36, 38, 40, 210). Each sheet dispensing mechanism includes a picking member (72, 212). The picking member rotates, and with each rotation generally causes an end note to be picked from a stack (42, 264) of sheets. The picking member (212) includes an arcuate projecting portion (258) that reduces the risk of damage to the leading edge areas of sheets due to opposed picking and stripping forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Diebold Self-Service Systems division of Diedbold, Incorporated
    Inventors: H. Thomas Graef, Kenneth C. Kontor, Michael J. Harty, Brian M. Jones
  • Patent number: 7175076
    Abstract: An automated banking machine is operative to enable users to operate the machine to carry out transactions such as the dispensing of cash. The exemplary machine provides audible instructions which are output through external loudspeakers, a headphone, or a handset. Rotation of a rotatable knob (372, 382) or other movable item causes the output of user selectable characters, transaction types and/or amounts corresponding to each respective position. The user selects the audible output produced in the current position of the knob for receipt by the machine as a transaction input by pressing on the knob. Characters and other selectable inputs corresponding to knob positions can be varied by the computer in the machine to reduce the risk of a criminal intercepting the user's inputs to the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Diebold Self-Service Systems division of Diebold, Incorporated
    Inventors: James Block, Paul D. Magee, Harold V. Putman, H. Thomas Graef
  • Patent number: 7165767
    Abstract: Dispenser modules include structure permitting their securement in stacked and aligned relation. The dispenser modules can contain sheet media such as notes and other items. The dispenser modules can be used in an automated banking machine operative to dispense multiple types of sheet media. Modules include a projection plate and a biasing latch arm on side walls thereof. The projection plate includes a pin adapted to be received in a side wall slot. A first module is locked to a second module through a first module latch preventing movement of a second module pin from a first module slot. Disassembly of the locked modules can occur with compressing of the latch to release the modules relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Diebold Self-Service Systems a division of Diebold, Incorporated
    Inventors: H. Thomas Graef, Michael S. Johnson, Michael Harty, Jonathan M. Peritt, Ken Kontor
  • Patent number: 7144006
    Abstract: An automated banking machine (10) includes at least one of sheet dispensing mechanisms (34, 36, 38, 40, 210). Each sheet dispensing mechanism includes a picking member (72, 212). The picking member rotates, and with each rotation generally causes an end note to be picked from a stack (42, 264) of sheets. The picking member (212) includes an arcuate projecting portion (258) that reduces the risk of damage to the leading edge areas of sheets due to opposed picking and stripping forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Diebold Self-Service Systems division of Diebold, Incorporated
    Inventors: H. Thomas Graef, Kenneth C. Kontor, Michael J. Harty, Brian M. Jones
  • Patent number: 7140537
    Abstract: An automated banking machine (10) includes a mechanism for accepting deposited items. Items deposited into the machine through a deposit inlet (44) pass through a deposit transport (48) in which properties of the deposited item such as thickness are measured and indicia corresponding to the sensed properties are recorded on the deposited item. The deposited item is stored in a storage area (50) in the machine. Each deposited item is subsequently removed from the machine and the content thereof compared to the indicated value for the item input to the machine by the person making the deposit. The data corresponding to the indica recorded on the deposited item is usable to determine if the deposited item had content which may correspond to the value indicated at the time of deposit, and the user's account may be credited accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Diebold, Incorporated
    Inventors: Dale Blackson, H. Thomas Graef
  • Patent number: 7140539
    Abstract: An automated banking machine system and method includes ATMs which accept checks and dispense cash to users. The ATMs are operated to acquire image and magnetic data from deposited checks to determine the genuineness of checks and the authority of a user to receive cash for such checks. Cash may be dispensed to the user from the ATM in exchange for the deposited checks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Diebold, Incorporated
    Inventors: Tim Crews, Keith Carpenter, Mike Ryan, Laura Drozda, Wayne Warren, Victor Bell, William McCarthy, Matthew Pahl, Martin J. Brown, Dale H. Blackson, Todd Galloway, Robert W. Barnett, James R. Kay, Mark A. Ward, David A. Peters, Edward L. Laskowski, H. Thomas Graef
  • Patent number: 7140607
    Abstract: An automated banking machine (10) includes a user interface (15). The user interface includes a card reader (16), receipt printer opening (30), cash dispensing opening (38) and deposit accepting opening (40). A stack of notes (84) input to the machine are separated one by one from the stack through the action of at least one picking member (158, 352) and at least one stripper member (64, 162, 354). The actions of non-contact stripper rolls and a contact stripper roll are generally effective to only enable a single note to move past the stripper members. Upon sensing that multiple notes have moved past the stripper members with a sensor (176, 366) the system is operative to return notes to the stack for subsequent picking trials. In some cases the stripper members may be driven so as to move notes engaged therewith relative to a note engaged with the stripper member so as to reorient the notes and facilitate note separation in subsequent picking events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Diebold Self-Service Systems division of Diebold, Incorporated
    Inventors: H. Thomas Graef, Zachary Utz, Daniel P. Schoeffler, Shawn Griggy, Natarajan Ramachandran
  • Patent number: 7137551
    Abstract: An automated banking machine system and method includes ATMs which accept checks and dispense cash to users. The ATMs are operated to acquire image and magnetic data from deposited checks to determine the genuineness of checks and the authority of a user to receive cash for such checks. Cash may be dispensed to the user from the ATM in exchange for the deposited checks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Diebold, Incorporated
    Inventors: Tim Crews, Keith Carpenter, Mike Ryan, Laura Drozda, Wayne Warren, Victor Bell, William McCarthy, Matthew Pahl, Martin J. Brown, Dale H. Blackson, Todd Galloway, Robert W. Barnett, James R. Kay, Mark A. Ward, David A. Peters, Edward L. Laskowski, H. Thomas Graef
  • Patent number: 7121461
    Abstract: A reject cassette can commonly receive and separately store both diverted and retracted currency notes. The reject cassette includes a diverted note storage area and a retracted note storage area. The diverted note storage area receives notes deemed unpresentable to a customer. The retracted note storage area receives previously presented notes that were left by a customer. A movable partition directs the notes to the appropriate storage area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: DieBold Self-Service Systems, division of DieBold, Incorporated
    Inventors: Jon Washington, Eric VanKeulen, Gregory Spicer, Douglas Dominick, Thomas A. VanKirk, Damon J. Blackford, H. Thomas Graef
  • Patent number: 7090122
    Abstract: An automated banking machine system and method includes ATMs which accept checks and dispense cash to users. The ATMs are operated to acquire image and magnetic data from deposited checks to determine the authority of a user to receive cash for such checks. The authority of the user is determined based on the user being associated in a data store with the maker of the check. The check cannot exceed certain programmed thresholds or be presented earlier than the expiration of a delay period from when a prior check from the same maker is presented. In exchange for acceptable checks cash is dispensed to the user from the ATM in exchange for the deposited check.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Diebold, Incorporated
    Inventors: Wayne Warren, Victor Bell, William McCarthy, Matthew Pahl, Martin J. Brown, Dale H. Blackson, Todd Galloway, Robert W. Barnett, Mike Ryan, James R. Kay, Mark A. Ward, David A. Peters, Tim Crews, H. Thomas Graef, Edward L. Laskowski
  • Patent number: 7063316
    Abstract: Dispenser modules include structure permitting their securement in stacked and aligned relation. The dispenser modules can contain multimedia. The dispenser modules can be used in an automated banking machine operative to dispense multimedia. Modules can include a projection plate and a biasing latch arm on side walls thereof. The projection plate includes a pin operative to be received in a side wall slot. A first module is locked to a second module due to a first module latch preventing movement of a second module pin from a first module slot. Disassembly of the locked modules can occur with compressing of the latch to release the modules relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Diebold Self-Services Systems Division of Diebold, Incorporated
    Inventors: H. Thomas Graef, Michael S. Johnson, Michael Harty, Jonathan M. Peritt, Ken Kontor
  • Patent number: 7048142
    Abstract: A dispenser (10) for dispensing medical items (68, 70, 72) includes dispenser modules (28, 30) movably mounted thereon. The dispenser modules are selectively operative to dispense medical items therefrom into a path (54) which is connected to a delivery area (20) of the dispenser. The dispenser and the dispenser modules therein are configured to provide security against unauthorized access thereto. However an authorized user is enabled to readily access the dispenser modules and the medical items therein by unlocking a lock (22), opening a door (16) and extending the dispenser modules through an opening (18). With the dispenser modules in the extended position the medical items therein may be replenished. Alternatively, the dispenser modules may be disconnected from the dispenser and replaced with substitute dispenser modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: AutoMed Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Michael, David T. Frederick, H. Thomas Graef
  • Patent number: 7004384
    Abstract: An ATM includes a currency note dispenser having a currency cassette, a note picker, a note transporter, and a note presenter. A cassette tambour door automatically opens during insertion of the cassette into the dispenser. The picker can pick notes through the opening. A spring loaded housing wall tab retains the picker shaft in mating connection with a drive pin. The transporter can move notes vertically and horizontally. The transporter includes belts between an idle shaft and a drive shaft. The idle shaft is vertically movable relative to a drive shaft to maintain belt tension. The transporter also includes convexly tapered rollers that automatically recenter a loose belt. A presenter gate is at a note dispensing outlet of the ATM. The gate is opened by actuating a lever linked with an arm connected to the gate. The gate opens by moving a pin upward in an angled slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Diebold Self-Service Systems division of Diebold, Incorporated
    Inventors: Brian Jones, H. Thomas Graef, Michael Harty, Michael S. Johnson, Kenneth Kontor
  • Patent number: 7004383
    Abstract: An ATM includes a currency note dispenser having a currency cassette, a note picker, a note transporter, and a note presenter. A cassette tambour door automatically opens during insertion of the cassette into the dispenser. The picker can pick notes through the opening. A spring loaded housing wall tab retains the picker shaft in mating connection with a drive pin. The transporter can move notes vertically and horizontally. The transporter includes belts between an idle shaft and a drive shaft. The idle shaft is vertically movable relative to a drive shaft to maintain belt tension. The transporter also includes convexly tapered rollers that automatically recenter a loose belt. A presenter gate is at a note dispensing outlet of the ATM. The gate is opened by actuating a lever linked with an arm connected to the gate. The gate opens by moving a pin upward in an angled slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Diebold Self-Service Systems, a division of Diebold, Incorporated
    Inventors: H. Thomas Graef, Michael Harty, Michael S. Johnson, Kenneth Kontor
  • Patent number: 6983880
    Abstract: An automated banking machine (10) includes a user interface (15). The user interface includes a card reader (16), receipt printer opening (30), cash dispensing opening (38) and deposit accepting opening (40). A stack of notes (84) input to the machine are separated one by one from the stack through the action of at least one picking member (158, 352) and at least one stripper member (64, 162, 354). The actions of non-contact stripper rolls and a contact stripper roll are generally effective to only enable a single note to move past the stripper members. Upon sensing that multiple notes have moved past the stripper members with a sensor (176, 366) the system is operative to return notes to the stack for subsequent picking trials. In some cases the stripper members may be driven so as to move notes engaged therewith relative to a note engaged with the stripper member so as to reorient the notes and facilitate note separation in subsequent picking events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Diebold, Incorporated
    Inventors: H. Thomas Graef, Zachary Utz, Daniel P. Schoeffler, Shawn Griggy, Nat Ramachandran
  • Patent number: 6981638
    Abstract: An automated banking machine (10) includes a user interface (12) including an opening (20). Users of the machine deliver individual sheets and stacks of sheets to and from the machine through the opening. Stacks of sheets may include sheets such as notes, checks or other documents. Stacks input to the machine may include mixtures of various types of sheets. The machine operates to receive notes, process checks and perform other operations. Notes received in the machine may be recycled and dispensed to other users. Checks processed by the machine may be imaged by an imaging device, cancelled and stored in the machine or alternatively returned to a user. Documents produced by the machine such as receipts, checks or money orders as well as notes dispensed from the machine are assembled into a stack within the machine and delivered from the machine through the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Diebold, Incorporated
    Inventors: H. Thomas Graef, Edward D. Laskowski, William D. Beskitt, Michael Harty, Jeffrey Eastman, Richard J. Phelps, Natarajan Ramachandran
  • Patent number: 6976634
    Abstract: An ATM currency cassette includes an RFID tag. The tag includes information about the cassette, such as the cassette serial number and the currency denomination. An ATM includes a tag reader that can interrogate the tag to receive the information. The history of a particular cassette can be tracked via the cassette serial number. Problem cassettes can be identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Diebold Self-Service Systems, division of Diebold, Incorporated
    Inventors: Jon Washington, Songtao Ma, Kenneth Turocy, Damon J. Blackford, H. Thomas Graef
  • Patent number: 6945526
    Abstract: A picking member (72) rotates to cause a sheet to be picked from a stack (42) of sheets. The picking member includes movable engaging portions supported on arcuate segments (128, 144). The engaging portions move radially outward to apply additional moving force to an end sheet bound in the stack responsive to movement of the picking member exceeding the movement of the end sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Diebold, Incorporated
    Inventors: H. Thomas Graef, Jonathan M. Peritt, Michael S. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6941274
    Abstract: The invention relates to an automated transaction machine of the recycling currency type. The machine permits a merchant to both store and withdraw cash. The machine also permits a customer to withdraw cash. The automated transaction machine includes a chest portion and a top hat portion. The portions have a front side and a rear side. The rear side of the machine is primarily intended for use by the merchant. The front side of the machine is primarily intended for use by a customer. The merchant side of the chest portion includes an inlet opening for inserting cash and an outlet opening for dispensing cash. The customer side of the chest portion also includes an outlet opening for dispensing cash. The top hat portion includes a separate user interface on the merchant side and a separate user interface on the customer side. The machine provides for the safekeeping of excess cash from a merchant's business operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Diebold, Incorporated
    Inventors: Natarajan Ramachandran, Mark Owens, Mark D. Smith, Sean Haney, Andrew Junkins, Matthew Force, H. Thomas Graef, Elizabeth M. Herrera, Robert G. Miller, Roy Mleziva, Jeffrey A. Hill
  • Patent number: D517809
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Diebold Self-Service Systems division of Diebold, Incorporated
    Inventors: Jeffery Eastman, Sean Haney, Robert Bowser, Jeffrey Enright, Michael Ryan, William D. Beskitt, Matthew Dunlap, Dale H. Blackson, H. Thomas Graef