Abstract: A media escrow unit (24) is provided for use in dispensing or depositing media. The escrow unit (24) is arranged in use with a media removal path (42) leading from a media receptacle (32), and communicating with a media return path (44) leading to the media receptacle. In use, media may be removed from the receptacle (32) and passed through media validation sensors (20, 22) before being returned to the receptacle (32). The media may then either be presented from the escrow unit (24) to a user, or passed via the media removal path (42) to a media storage location, depending on the outputs obtained from the media validation sensors (20, 22), and the actions of the user. Also provided is a self-service terminal incorporating such an escrow unit; and methods of dispensing or depositing media.

Abstract: A self-service terminal (SST) (10) having a reconfigurable media entry slot is provided. The slot (16) has paired vertically movable (22) and horizontally movable (20) shutters located so as to be capable of being moved to restrict the size of the slot (16). In use, the SST (10) determines the orientation and size of media to be entered, and adjusts the slot (16) size accordingly by means of motors (28, 30) driving the shutters. An indicator (18) may also be provided to further indicate to a user the expected media size, with media sensors (32) being present to further avoid entry of incorrect media.

Abstract: A belt (28) is moved into contact with a sheet (70) to be fed from the stack (18) under the control of a solenoid (48), which when energized causes pivoting of a crank mechanism (42) and an pulley (26) which supports the belt (28). The belt (28) frictionally engages the sheet (70) as to separate it from the stack (18) and move it into engagement with feed rollers (56) of a transport mechanism. The belt (28) is then retracted from the sheet (70) which is moved away from the stack (18) by the feed rollers (56). After a predetermined time period, the belt (28) is moved into contact with the next sheet of the stack (18) to be fed and the process is repeated until the desired number of sheets have been fed from the stack (18). The belt (28) is driven so that it rotates continuously during the pick operation and is brought to rest on retraction of the belt (28) after the final sheet has been picked from the stack (18).

Abstract: A bill stacker (30) to handle bills of different sizes in an automated teller machine (10) includes two matched sets of different length arms (60a-e) with returns (62a-e) that act as bill stoppers where the arms are pivoted about a common shaft (64). Bills having the greatest width are engaged and stopped by the longest arms and bills of the shortest width are engaged and stopped by the shortest arms, with intermediate width bills being stopped by intermediate length arms. The arms are brought into position by means of two sets of cams (66a-e) so as to bring about the alignment of bills dynamically as bills are fed into the stacker in order of decreasing width.

Abstract: In sheet separating apparatus suitable for use in an automated teller machine (ATM), sheets, such as banknotes, are removed singly from a stack (14) using reduced pressure derived from a vacuum pump (86). An air filter (72) is provided in the vacuum supply line (16) from the vacuum pump (86). A pressure sensor (68) senses the pressure in the vacuum supply line (16) and when this rises to a threshold value, causes the vacuum pump to supply reverse air flow through the air filter (72) to transport any dust particles impeding the operation of the air filter (72) to a dust collection container (106).

Abstract: Apparatus for indicating the thickness of a document being fed along a feed path comprises cooperating upper and lower roll sets (20 and 32) between which a document passes. The lower roll set (20) is driven by the document transport, while the upper roll set (32) is rotatably mounted on a pivotally mounted arm (36), which is urged by a spring (42) to cause the upper roll set (32) to move toward engagement with the lower roll set (20). The upper roll set (32) includes a central cylindrical portion (30) of reduced diameter. A further roll (46) is mounted so that its circumference is normally spaced from the surface of the cylindrical portion by a predetermined distance. A timing disc (52) is mounted for rotation with the further roll (46), and a sensing device (58) is associated with the timing disc (52) to generate pulses as the further roll (46) rotates.

Abstract: A container for use in loading notes into a currency cassette in a simple and rapid manner includes a base and wall portions upstanding therefrom. A rectangular removable plate is positioned over the base. In order to load the cassette, the container is first loaded with a stack of currency notes with corresponding long edges of the notes resting on the plate and with the end notes in the stack being respectively in engagement with the end wall portions of the container. The cassette is then inverted and placed, with its lid open, over the container. The combination of the container and the cassette is inverted, and the plate is pressed down on the stack of notes through an opening in the base of the container while simultaneously, the remainder of the container is removed from the cassette, thereby leaving the stack of notes in the correct position in the cassette.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus includes a first elongated drive belt assembly (52) which is driven by, and is pivotable about the axis of, a first drive shaft (86) mounted adjacent one end of this assembly (52), and a second elongated drive belt assembly (50) which is mounted in coopertive relationship with respect to the first belt assembly (52) and which is driven by, and pivotable about the axis of, a second drive shaft (72) spaced inwardly from both ends of the second belt assembly (52). The two belt assemblies (50, 52) are pivotally movable under the control of a single solenoid between closed positions in which the belt assemblies are in cooperative relationship with respect to each other for feeding a sheet therebetween towards an exit solt (26), and open positions in which the cooperating surfaces of the belt assemblies (50, 52) are spaced apart to facilitate the entry of a sheet between the belt assemblies (50, 52) at an entry location (169).

Abstract: A portable depository container 10 for an automated teller machine (ATM) articles as, for example, magnetic credit cards captured by the ATM. With the container dismounted from the ATM, an entry slot 16 is locked against passage of articles therethrough by means of a bar 22. Upon the container being mounted in a receiving cradle 18 of the ATM, the bar 22 is moved to an unlocked position by means of key pins 168, 170 which engage and move rearwardly with a pair of slide members 42, 44. This movement of the member 42 brings about a rotational movement of a resettable indicator wheel 76 which carries a series of markings on its perimeter. The particular marking of the wheel 76 visible through an indicator window provides an indication of the number of times the bar 22 has been unlocked since resetting of the wheel, and can thereby indicate whether tampering with the container has taken place. A second embodiment for handling articles such as currency in envelopes utilizes a resettable indicator slide 208.