Abstract: A method of tracking and dispensing the dispense of medical items for use by patients associated with a health care institution includes storing in a data store in connection with a computer data representative of patients and medical items prescribed for the patients. Authorized users such as a nurse, are enabled to dispense prescribed items for patients through medical item dispensers. A record is included in the data store that the medical items have been dispensed. In an exemplary system (650) medical items that have been dispensed are tracked to the point of giving the item to the patients using portable terminals (662) that are carried to the bedside of the patients. The activity of giving the appropriate medical item to each respective patient is recorded in the portable terminal as medical items are given to a plurality of patients.

Abstract: A carrier (300) for loading medical items in the helix (74) of a dispenser module (28) includes a plurality of chambers (314) formed by side walls (316) attached to a rear wall (310). Cover (322) seals the medical items within the chambers (314). A plurality of tapered projections (312) meshes with the turns of the helix (74) to align chambers (314) with the spaces between the turns of the helix. Cover (322) is then slidably released from channels (318, 320) in side walls (316) for releasing the medical items within the helix (74). An alternate embodiment includes a support member (342) with a plurality of apertures (346) spaced to correspond to the spaces of the helix (74). The plurality of holders (348) with medical items contained therein are secured to support member (342) through the apertures (346) with a strap (354). By removing strap (354), the medical items are released within the helix (74) in the selected locations.

Abstract: Apparatus for identifying and indicating the content of document canisters such as those used to hold supplies of documents in Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), includes a canister (10) holding a stack of documents (30) and having a face plate (24). Face plate (24) includes a plurality of buttonholes (26). Spring loaded buttons (25) are distributed among buttonholes (26); the arrangement of said buttons representing items of data such as ownership of the canister, canister serial number, and document information such as the type, denomination, amount, and character of the documents in the canister. In operating position, canister (10) is located in an ATM in contact with a picker mechanism (100) which removes documents, one at a time from the canister. The picker mechanism incorporates a switch plate (126) which is adjacent to face plate (24) when canister (10) and picker mechanism (100) are in operating position.

Abstract: Apparatus for identifying and indicating the content of document canisters such as those used to hold supplies of documents in Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs), includes a canister (10) holding a stack of documents (30) and having a face plate (24). Face plate (24) includes a plurality of buttonholes (26). Spring loaded buttons (25) are distributed among buttonholes (26); the arrangement of the buttons representing items of data such as ownership of the canister, canister serial number, and document information such as the type, denomination, amount, and character of the documents in the canister. When inserted in the ATM, the canister exchanges identifying information with the ATM via the arrangement of buttons.

Abstract: A depository for receiving under conditions of security bank transaction deposits in envelopes of carying thicknesses one at a time, wherein the envelopes may contain coin in different sizes and numbers. The depository has a transport mechanism including a fixed upper platen, an endless belt having a lower flight movable below and supported by the fixed upper platen, and a lower platen movable with respect to the fixed upper platen at an angle downward from the belt and in the direction of belt travel when the belt is driven. An envelope being conveyed is pinched between the belt and a narrow longitudinal central ribbed plastic rail projecting upward from the movable lower platen. The plastic rail ribs have slippery low friction surfaces and the belt engages a low friction slippery surface portion of the fixed upper platen.

Abstract: Apparatus for identifying and indicating the content of document canisters such as those used to hold supplies of documents in Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), includes a canister (10) holding a stack of documents (30) and having a face plate (24). Face plate (24) includes a plurality of buttonholes (26). Spring loaded buttons (25) are distributed among buttonholes (26); the arrangement of said buttons representing items of data such as ownership of the canister, canister serial number, and document information such as the type, denomination, amount, and character of the documents in the canister. In operating position, canister (10) is located in an ATM in contact with a picker mechanism (100) which removes documents, one at a time from the canister. The picker mechanism incorporates a switch plate (126) which is adjacent to face plate (24) when canister (10) and picker mechanism (100) are in operating position.

Abstract: Thickness indicator apparatus mounted adjacent to a bill path inside an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) includes a wishbone (45) having a pair of identical fingers (46) which contact bills moving in the bill path, and a metallic target (52). The wishbone is floatably mounted to the frame of the ATM such that target (52) is displaced an amount which is proportional to the thickness of the bills in contact with fingers (46). A sensor (66) senses the position of the target (52) and generates an electrical signal indicative of bill thickness.

Abstract: A new structure is provided comprising a cast body having enclosure, pedestal and anchor sections cast integrally of high steel fiber reinforced concrete. The enclosure section has walls forming a primary security compartment. A door movable between open and closed positions is mounted on the cast body. The door also is cast of high steel fiber reinforced concrete. The door and walls of the cast concrete body have thicknesses of at least 3 inches and resist torch and tool attack measures for at least 15 minutes. High security is provided for paper notes and valuable documents present in the primary security compartment either deposited into said primary security compartment or to be dispensed from said compartment.

Abstract: A depository envelope printing apparatus prints transaction identifying characters on envelopes deposited into an ATM, which envelopes may be of uneven contour as a result of their containing coins or folded notes or instruments. The apparatus includes a print head (120) and a tracking shoe (121) mounted on a carriage plate (110). The carriage plate is floatably mounted inside the ATM such that the tracking shoe tracks a depository envelope surface which is to accept printing as the envelope is being moved from the ATM customer to a place of storage within the ATM by a transport mechanism. The movements of the tracking shoe are transmitted to the print head so that it follows the contour of the envelope while printing is performed thereon. A probe located ahead of the tracking shoe in the direction of the envelope path tracks the level of the envelope surface a distance in advance of the tracking shoe.

Abstract: A note picker mechanism for picking new and circulated paper money bills from stacks thereof through access openings of sealed, tamper-indicating containers for the notes when installed in ATM's. The mechanism has a primary suction picker device and a secondary friction-engaging picker device. The friction-engaging picker is switchably engaged with or disengaged from the suction picker so that if a picking failure occurs, the picker mechanism is automatically changed from joint operation of the primary and secondary picker to operation of the primary picker alone, or vice versa, to correct the cause of the picking failure.

Abstract: The device has a feed roller with a high friction rubber segment which picks notes one at a time for each roller revolution or cycle. A counter-rotating separator roller normally prevents picking doubles. A cooperative doubles detector detects doubles when picked and returns the doubles to the note supply stack. The picker mechanism has a biasing lever which holds the note stack out of contact with the feed roller against stack pressure until the friction segment is in note separating and picking position.

Abstract: A retrieval mechanism for a divert-container-equipped ATM of typical construction to retrieve and protect paper money bills dispensed at a customer's request by the ATM and left at an accessible location at the ATM bill delivery station unpicked by the customer. The unpicked bills are sensed after a short time delay in unpicked status. The unpicked bills when sensed are automatically returned to the reversible conveyor of such typical divert-container-equipped ATM and transported by reversal of the conveyor to the divert container.

Abstract: Picker mechanism for picking notes from a note supply stack in a note dispenser of an automatic banking or teller machine (ATM) which withdraws notes from the supply stack through an access opening in a note supply container laterally of the opening. The access opening has one dimension smaller than the length of the note being laterally withdrawn. The picker mechanism engages the note being withdrawn with a picker cup by combined frictional pressure and suction. The picker cup during note withdrawal moves in multi-directions toward and away from the note stack through the access opening as well as back and forth in directions generally parallel to the length of the note being withdrawn.