Abstract: A dispenser shutter assembly for an automated teller machine and an associated method of preventing damage to a shutter operating mechanism of the dispenser shutter assembly. The dispenser shutter assembly includes: a shutter plate; and a shutter operating mechanism that includes a motor assembly including a drive shaft mounting a worm gear and attached to a frame member by a pivotable mounting. The worm gear is moveable out of engagement with the worm segment by pivoting the motor assembly away from the frame member about the pivotable mounting. When the shutter plate is subject to an external force for moving the shutter plate to open a shutter from a closed position, the external force thereby applied to the worm gear by the worm segment moves the worm gear about the pivotable mounting out of engagement with the worm segment thereby preventing damage to the shutter operating mechanism.

Abstract: A cash capture operation defeating assembly for an automated teller machine and a method for detecting insertion of a cash capture device into the automated teller machine. The assembly includes a first sensor, a second sensor, and control circuitry for receiving object detection signals from the first and second sensors. When the first sensor detects a first object: (i) if the second sensor previously detected a second object within a predetermined time period before the first object was detected, then the control circuitry determines that a normal paper currency dispense has occurred and that the first and second objects each comprise the paper currency; (ii) if the second sensor has not previously detected the second object within the predetermined time period before the first object was detected, then the control circuitry determines that the first object is potentially a cash capture device.

Abstract: A dispenser shutter assembly for an automated teller machine and an associated method of preventing damage to a shutter operating mechanism of the dispenser shutter assembly. The dispenser shutter assembly includes: a shutter plate; and a shutter operating mechanism that includes a motor assembly including a drive shaft mounting a worm gear and attached to a frame member by a pivotable mounting. The worm gear is moveable out of engagement with the worm segment by pivoting the motor assembly away from the frame member about the pivotable mounting. When the shutter plate is subject to an external force for moving the shutter plate to open a shutter from a closed position, the external force thereby applied to the worm gear by the worm segment moves the worm gear about the pivotable mounting out of engagement with the worm segment thereby preventing damage to the shutter operating mechanism.

Abstract: A cash capture operation defeating assembly for an automated teller machine and a method for detecting insertion of a cash capture device into the automated teller machine. The assembly includes a first sensor, a second sensor, and control circuitry for receiving object detection signals from the first and second sensors. When the first sensor detects a first object: (i) if the second sensor previously detected a second object within a predetermined time period before the first object was detected, then the control circuitry determines that a normal paper currency dispense has occurred and that the first and second objects each comprise the paper currency; (ii) if the second sensor has not previously detected the second object within the predetermined time period before the first object was detected, then the control circuitry determines that the first object is potentially a cash capture device.

Abstract: A dispenser shutter assembly for an automated teller machine and an associated method of preventing damage to a shutter operating mechanism of the dispenser shutter assembly. The dispenser shutter assembly includes: a frame member; a shutter plate; and a shutter operating mechanism that includes a motor assembly including a drive shaft mounting a worm gear and attached to the frame member by a pivotable mounting. The worm gear is moveable out of engagement with the worm segment by pivoting the motor assembly away from the frame member about the pivotable mounting. When the shutter plate is subject to an external force for moving the shutter plate to open a shutter from a closed position, the external force thereby applied to the worm gear by the worm segment moves the worm gear about the pivotable mounting out of engagement with the worm segment thereby preventing damage to the shutter operating mechanism.

Abstract: A dispenser shutter assembly of an automated teller machine and a method for preventing damage to the dispenser shutter assembly. The dispenser shutter assembly includes: a shutter; a shutter plate; cam followers attached to the shutter plate; a cam coupled to the cam followers; a motor that rotates the cam in a first rotational direction in a plane of rotation of the cam for inducing the cam to act on the cam followers to cause movement of the shutter plate to transition the shutter to a closed state of the shutter; and a cam rotation restrictor positioned so as to prevent rotation of the cam beyond an over center position on the cam's rotational axis by forcing the cam to rotate in a second rotational direction that is opposite the first rotational direction in response to a manual opening of the shutter from the closed state of the shutter.

Abstract: A method and associated security apparatus for providing security to an automatic teller machine (ATM) having a cash capture device in a presenter area of the ATM. The cash capture device is detected by a proximity detector in the security apparatus in the ATM. A detecting signal is generated by the proximity detector in response to the cash capture device being detected. The detecting signal is received by control circuitry in the security apparatus and in response, the control circuitry causes a dispensing shutter of the ATM to remain in an open position. Each proximity detector is electrically connected to the control circuitry. The dispensing shutter in the open position is configured, in an absence of the cash capture device in the ATM, to dispense paper currency processed and stored in the presenter area. Presenter belts in the presenter area transport the paper currency to a dispenser aperture.

Abstract: A dispenser shutter assembly of an automated teller machine and a method for preventing damage to the dispenser shutter assembly. The dispenser shutter assembly includes: a shutter; a shutter plate; cam followers attached to the shutter plate; a cam coupled to the cam followers; a motor that rotates the cam in a first rotational direction in a plane of rotation of the cam for inducing the cam to act on the cam followers to cause movement of the shutter plate to transition the shutter to a closed state of the shutter; and a cam rotation restrictor positioned so as to prevent rotation of the cam beyond an over center position on the cam's rotational axis by forcing the cam to rotate in a second rotational direction that is opposite the first rotational direction in response to a manual opening of the shutter from the closed state of the shutter.

Abstract: A method and associated security apparatus for providing security to an automatic teller machine (ATM) having a cash capture device in a presenter area of the ATM. The cash capture device is detected by a proximity detector in the security apparatus in the ATM. A detecting signal is generated by the proximity detector in response to the cash capture device being detected. The detecting signal is received by control circuitry in the security apparatus and in response, the control circuitry causes a dispensing shutter of the ATM to remain in an open position. Each proximity detector is electrically connected to the control circuitry. The dispensing shutter in the open position is configured, in an absence of the cash capture device in the ATM, to dispense paper currency processed and stored in the presenter area. Presenter belts in the presenter area transport the paper currency to a dispenser aperture.

Abstract: A method and associated security apparatus for providing security to an automatic teller machine (ATM) having a cash capture device in a presenter area of the ATM. The cash capture device is detected by a proximity detector in the security apparatus in the ATM. A detecting signal is generated by the proximity detector in response to the cash capture device being detected. The detecting signal is received by control circuitry in the security apparatus and in response, the control circuitry causes a dispensing shutter of the ATM to remain in an open position. Each proximity detector is electrically connected to the control circuitry. The dispensing shutter in the open position is configured, in an absence of the cash capture device in the ATM, to dispense paper currency processed and stored in the presenter area of the ATM. security apparatus includes the proximity detector and the control circuitry.

Abstract: A method and associated security apparatus for providing security to an automatic teller machine (ATM) having a cash capture device in a presenter area of the ATM. The cash capture device is detected by a proximity detector in the security apparatus in the ATM. A detecting signal is generated by the proximity detector in response to the cash capture device being detected. The detecting signal is received by control circuitry in the security apparatus and in response, the control circuitry causes a dispensing shutter of the ATM to remain in an open position. Each proximity detector is electrically connected to the control circuitry. The dispensing shutter in the open position is configured, in an absence of the cash capture device in the ATM, to dispense paper currency processed and stored in the presenter area of the ATM. security apparatus includes the proximity detector and the control circuitry.